Quick decisions on infrastructure projects can keep the net-zero economy growing and bring more high-skilled jobs to Scotland

A blog by SSEN Transmission’s Managing Director, Rob McDonald 

Amid the many challenges of growing the economy, a new report should grab the attention of everyone striving to lift our performance in Scotland and across the UK, including rural and island communities.  

Commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, with analysis from CBI Economics and The Data City, the report provides strong grounds for optimism. It shows the net-zero economy booming as never before, having grown 10% in the past year, far outstripping the rest of the economy — with employment expanding by a similar rate. 

"The net-zero economy is especially important to Scotland, supporting more than 100,000 full-time equivalent jobs." 

But we have to keep these figures moving in the right direction because they represent the life chances and livelihoods of the future. A faster growing net-zero economy means well-paid, high-productivity jobs within thriving communities. We can grow our way to a sustainable future and the electricity transmission system is at the heart of that process.  

We own, operate and develop the high-voltage electricity network in the north of Scotland — the pylons, overhead lines, subsea cabling and underground cables that move power from where the renewable resources are to the villages, towns and cities.  

"For the scale of infrastructure investment required, reform of the planning system is essential if we are to achieve energy security and deliver on clean power by 2030 — as well as meeting legally binding Scottish and UK net-zero targets."

Again, there are grounds for optimism. The Scottish government has just taken a big step forward in new guidance, introducing a 52-week determination period for net-zero critical strategic infrastructure projects, submitted under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.   

The one-year limit includes provision for a public inquiry, should one be triggered for a project. This has been a key ask of developers and was a recommendation of the Scottish government’s transmission networks short life working group. Faster decision-making was also recommended by the UK government’s independent networks commissioner, known in industry circles as the ‘Winser Report’. 

We look forward to seeing how this works in practice, but it should put an end to years of delay that have held up important projects.  

"Lengthy periods of uncertainty serve no one’s interests, including those who oppose developments. It took nearly four-and-a-half years for consent to be granted for the Beauly-Denny transmission project." 

The current project to reinforce the network from Fort Augustus to Skye — the only power line serving all homes and businesses along its route and in the Western Isles — has been almost two-and-a-half years in planning. The new system should render such delays a thing of the past. The replacement of the existing overhead line, which is fast reaching the end of its operational capabilities, is essential for maintaining security of supply in the area, where there have been ten major faults in just six years. 

A lot of work needs doing, and we need a planning system that helps us all move forward…