SSEN Transmission to host new webinar to help explain different electricity transmission technology options

SSEN Transmission Beauly-Denny Power Lines with a flock of sheepImage: SSEN Transmission Beauly-Denny Power Lines

  • Leading industry and academic panel will discuss differences and challenges between undergrounding, subsea and overhead electrical technology

  • Webinar to take place on Wednesday 23 October

SSEN Transmission, the electricity transmission network operator for the north of Scotland, is set to host a new webinar on 23 October to outline the differences behind technology options which will help transform the electricity grid in the north of Scotland in the journey to net zero. 

The webinar, titled ‘Overground, underground, or subsea - how decisions are made on where electricity transmission lines go’,will explore topics such as the comparison between the different transmission technologies and the complexities and challenges that come with transporting the huge amount of renewable energy being generated across the country to where it is needed.

The webinar will draw on knowledge from industry experts to help explain the different technical, operational, environmental and economic factors that need to be weighed up for each new transmission project. 

Joining the panel of experts will be Professor Keith Bell who holds the Scottish Power Chair in Future Power Systems at the University of Strathclyde. He is a co-Director of the UK Energy Research Centre and is a member of the UK’s Climate Change Committee.  Alongside Keith will be Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at the National Energy System Operator (NESO), whose role is to prepare Great Britain’s electricity network for net zero operation. 

From SSEN Transmission, Head of Community Engagement, Lesley Dow, and Technical Manager of Project Engineering, Alistair Radbourne, will also be joining the panel.

Questions to the industry panel can be submitted in advance when signing up, with time allocated at the end of the presentation to go through as many question themes as possible. 

SSEN Transmission is planning to carry out the biggest overhaul to the electricity transmission network in a generation, with £20bn worth of investments known as the Pathway to 2030 programme required to create a network for net zero.  These upgrades are essential to move renewable energy from where it is generated across the north of Scotland to where it’s needed throughout Great Britain, helping in the fight against climate change and delivering energy security for the country. 

Commenting on the webinar, SSEN Transmission’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Chris Bell, said:

“Moving to clean, renewable, and homegrown energy is key to tackling both climate change and the energy crisis, and the grid needs to be dramatically transformed to help meet local and national heat, transport and electricity needs. 

“We know that there are questions from our stakeholders around the different technology options selected for our proposals to deliver these extensive grid upgrades, which is why we’re hosting this webinar to explain the challenges and considerations which must be taken when planning any infrastructure of this size and scale, and how selecting the right technology for the benefit of all is an extremely complex process.     

“We’re delighted to welcome industry experts from National Energy System Operator as well as University of Strathclyde and our own company to help explain more about the decision making behind the electrical technology we are proposing to build in the north of Scotland, which will play a huge role in decarbonising our electricity system and helping us achieve greater energy security across the country. 

“We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about our Pathway to 2030 programme to sign up to attend and submit questions for our panel to consider.”

The webinar is open to anyone, and attendees can register now on SSEN Transmission’s website.  The webinar will be held on Wednesday 23 October between 10.30am and 11.45am, with questions invited to be submitted in advance of the presentation.  Questions will be grouped into themes and addressed anonymously.  The webinar will be recorded and can be viewed after the event via SSEN Transmission’s website.