New report highlights north of Scotland's 'crucial role' in providing green energy

A new report has highlighted the "crucial role" of north of Scotland energy projects in delivering green power across Britain.

The 2020 North of Scotland Energy Trends report, from SSEN Transmission, underlines the key changes in energy generation, demand and consumer behaviour in the network area over the past two years.

Among the findings, the report shows that:

• Since 2017, renewable electricity generation connected on the SSEN network has increased by over 1000MW due to several large-scale offshore and onshore wind generation projects coming online.
• In 2019/20, electricity generated on the system represented 2.85 times the level of demand in the network area, highlighting the crucial role that the north of Scotland transmission network plays in delivering clean, green power to areas of demand across Britain.
• The total number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Scotland’s northern local authority areas increased by 95 per cent from 2017 to 2019.

The findings will be used to help work out future network requirements as Scotland makes the transition to net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2045.

Marah Halper of SSEN Transmission said: “We’re pleased to publish our latest Energy Trends report, which provides an insight into energy behaviours in our electricity network region as we support the transition to net-zero emissions.

“The findings continue to demonstrate that the north of Scotland holds the greatest renewable resources in Britain and therefore provides the greatest opportunity for growth to meet net-zero targets. However, supportive signals from the regulator and governments will be vital to meet future decarbonisation targets, and economic goals, through the delivery of further network investment.

“The transmission network is the backbone for this green revolution as we facilitate the journey to a low-carbon electricity system, and we’ll continue to follow key energy trends carefully as technology, low-carbon policy and consumer behaviour evolves.”

The full version of SSEN Transmission’s 2020 North of Scotland Energy Trends report can be read on the SSEN website.

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