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SSEN Transmission welcomes ‘Beyond 2030 Update’
SSEN Transmission, SSE plc's electricity transmission business, has welcomed the National Energy System Operator's 'Beyond 2030 Update', which outlines significant new and upgraded electricity transmission network reinforcements across Great Britain. For the north of Scotland, this includes potential investments exceeding £12 billion for SSEN Transmission, specifically for new 2GW HVDC links (EGL5 and EGL6) and a new 400kV double circuit line from Greens to Harburn, with an upgrade planned for the Dounreay to Loch Buidhe to Beauly line. These developments are crucial for meeting UK and Scottish energy targets and enabling a low-carbon transition, though progression will require public consultation, stakeholder engagement, and appropriate regulatory frameworks. Disclaimer*
About this update from Sse Plc
SSEN Transmission welcomes 'Beyond 2030 Update' SSEN Transmission, SSE plc's electricity transmission business, welcomes today's publication by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) of its 'Beyond 2030 Update'. This sets out a series of additional new and upgraded electricity transmission network reinforcements across Great Britain that are required to deliver UK and Scottish energy targets. For the north of Scotland, this includes several onshore and offshore reinforcements that represent a further potential estimated investment of over £12bn for SSEN Transmission. These are: · EGL5: a new 2GW HVDC link from Longside (Netherton Hub in Aberdeenshire) connecting via subsea offshore cable to Lincolnshire. · EGL6: a new 2GW HVDC link in the Newmachar area connecting via subsea offshore cable to southeast England. · Greens to Harburn: a new 400kV double circuit line from Greens substation in Aberdeenshire to Harburn in SPEN's network region. As part of this proposed reinforcement, for the section between Kintore and Tealing, the existing 275kV overhead line would be replaced with a higher capacity 400kV overhead line. While not actively progressing at this time, the report also confirms the potential need to upgrade the existing Dounreay to Loch Buidhe to Beauly 275kV overhead line with higher capacity 275kV conductors. Today's update builds on the NESO's March 2024 'Beyond 2030' report, which included several new and upgraded reinforcements in the north of Scotland that are now at different stages of the development phase. The 2024 report also confirmed the need for additional north-south network reinforcements, which today's report provides. As part of this process, SSEN Transmission submitted several onshore and offshore reinforcement options for the NESO to assess based on a range of criteria, before confirming today's additional reinforcements as the most appropriate solutions. Enabling a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity future As Scotland and the UK continues to accelerate progress towards a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity future, the north of Scotland remains set to play a key role in this low carbon transition and capitalise on the substantial jobs and economic opportunities it presents for people and businesses acr...