SSEN Transmission responds to Ofgem's Advanced Procurement Mechanism decision

Commenting on the publication of Ofgem's Advanced Procurement Mechanism (APM) decision, Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said:

"Securing the supply chain to deliver our energy security and clean power targets at the earliest opportunity is one of the key requirements to support the timely delivery of new and upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure.

"Today's decision by Ofgem is an important step in providing the funding required to help secure the specialist equipment and derisk delivery of the transmission network investments that are critical to accelerate net zero - alongside encouraging inward investment in new and existing homegrown supply chains.

"The economic benefits of an Advanced Procurement Mechanism and early approval of projects can be seen in Sumitomo's investment in a new state of the art cable manufacturing facility in Nigg in the Highlands, where our proposed Shetland 2 HVDC link project is the anchor project underpinning Sumitomo's investment, supporting hundreds of highly skilled jobs. Ofgem's Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) Framework has also been the major catalyst to secure billions of pounds of supply chain contracts to help deliver our future energy needs, which we hope the Advanced Procurement Mechanism will build on.

"We now look forward to working with Ofgem, Government and our supply chain partners to build on today's decision and ensure the Advanced Procurement Mechanism remains agile and flexible to help deliver the clean energy transition - including securing supply chain delivery partners as well as the specialist equipment needed, supporting skills development and future careers."