New link from Caithness to Aberdeenshire is part of £5bn-plus investment in north grid
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A new power link between Caithness and the Aberdeenshire coast is part of a programme of grid infrastructure improvements in the north of Scotland costing more than £5 billion.
Details of the investment were set out in this year’s Networks Options Assessment (NOA) from SSEN Transmission, the electricity transmission owner for the north of Scotland and part of the SSE Group.
It emphasises that the work will be critical in delivering the UK and Scotland’s net-zero commitments and renewable energy targets.
SSEN Transmission says investment in new and upgraded network infrastructure is required to connect and transport Scotland's renewable electricity from where it is generated to areas of demand across the country.
The NOA outlines the reinforcements in infrastructure that will be required to upgrade the "motorways of the electricity network".
It follows January's ScotWind announcement on new offshore wind farm developments.
The NOA confirms the need to progress with the following strategic reinforcements in SSEN Transmission’s network region:
- Two subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links from Peterhead to England
- A second HVDC (high voltage, direct current) link from Spittal, connecting to Peterhead
- Strategic onshore reinforcements to the north of Inverness and between Inverness and Peterhead
SSEN Transmission says these measures are necessary to underpin the delivery of UK and Scottish government targets on renewables and reducing emissions.
Managing director Rob McDonald said: “This year’s NOA report fires the starting gun for over £5bn of investment in grid infrastructure in the north of Scotland.
"This will be critical to enabling the growth of renewable electricity in the region needed to deliver net-zero, including the first step in unlocking the vast increase in offshore wind expected following the recently announced outcome of the ScotWind leasing round.
“These investments will also provide huge economic opportunities for the north of Scotland and throughout GB, supporting hundreds of skilled jobs in the development and construction phases.
"Due to the scale of investment required in grid infrastructure, we believe there is a clear opportunity for governments and industry to work together to encourage inward investment in UK supply chain manufacturing and skills development.
“In enabling the connection of indigenous, clean renewable electricity generation, these investments will also be crucial in reducing the UK’s dependence on volatile global wholesale gas markets.
“We now look forward to working constructively with government, Ofgem [the energy regulator], the wider industry and our stakeholders to provide the timely, coordinated and efficient investment in grid infrastructure that is key to our collective net-zero ambitions.”
These projects, subject to all necessary planning and regulatory approvals, support SSE’s recently announced Net Zero Acceleration Programme, which set out plans to invest £12.5bn up until 2026.
SSEN Transmission says it will now undertake a major programme of engagement with stakeholders and communities to help shape the development of the reinforcements.
Morag Watson, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, said: “With its abundance of renewable energy potential, the north of Scotland has an important role to play in achieving net-zero. We welcome this year’s NOA report and its reinforcement of the need for £5bn of investment in grid infrastructure in the north of Scotland.
"This is the starting point for the next step in creating a Scottish electricity grid for net-zero, with this investment key to enabling the growth of the renewables industry, bringing skilled jobs and huge economic opportunities to the area.”
