£29bn+ investment to upgrade electricity transmission in the north of Scotland

SSE has set out how a £29+ billion investment* programme in electricity transmission will support the UK’s clean power ambitions, unlock major economic benefits, and strengthen energy infrastructure across the north of Scotland.

In a new investor webinar available on YouTube, SSE leaders explain why significant upgrades to the transmission network are needed, how progress is already being made, and how the programme is designed to be delivered at pace and at scale.

The webinar focuses on the RIIO‑T3 price control period and the delivery of 11 major onshore and offshore transmission projects across SSEN Transmission’s license area in the north of Scotland.

Why this investment matters

SSE’s transmission network in the north of Scotland covers around a quarter of the UK’s landmass, with less than 5% of the population, but some of the UK’s best renewable energy resources.

As explained in the webinar, this means the region plays a critical role in exporting clean electricity to the rest of Great Britain.

It is expected that:

• By 2030, the north of Scotland is expected to account for around 20% of the UK’s clean power generation
• Around one‑sixth of the UK’s required economy‑wide emissions reductions by 2050 will need to come from renewables connected to its transmission network

To support the initial stages of this growth, a £29bn+ investment programme, centred across 11 major projects is required to be delivered across the RIIO-T3 price control period.

Progress already under way

The investment programme is already well advanced:

• Over £29 billion of investment has been approved by Ofgem
• The 11 “mega projects” will deliver the bulk of the upgrade, comprising five offshore and six onshore reinforcements
• Five of these 11 projects are already in construction, with others progressing through planning and consenting
• Over three‑quarters of all required consents across substations, overhead lines and marine works have already been secured
• SSEN Transmission has significant experience in delivering large‑scale infrastructure, including the recent Shetland HVDC link, which was completed ahead of schedule, on budget, and without a single construction accident

Jobs, skills and long‑term benefits for communities

The webinar also explores the wider economic and social impact of the programme across Scotland and the UK, with the investment expected to:

• Support around 37,000 UK jobs, including approximately 18,000 in Scotland
• Grow SSE’s transmission workforce from around 2,800 people today to 3,500
• Deliver at least £100 million in community benefit funding in the north of Scotland
• Leave a lasting legacy through initiatives such as an innovative housing strategy, creating or refurbishing around 1,000 homes for construction workers before transferring them to local authorities and social landlord

The investment is also a critical enabler for future industries, by providing the infrastructure needed for further clean energy development.

Designed for delivery

The programme is structured to be deliverable, with:

• Early regulatory approval by Ofgem, of the need for these projects
• Early and sustained engagement with the supply chain, moving from project‑by‑project contracting to a portfolio approach out to 2030
• Significant investment in people, skills, IT systems, training facilities and control rooms to support a rapidly expanding transmission business

Together, these measures are intended to ensure the network upgrades are delivered safely, efficiently and at pace.

*£29bn+ represents 100% of the investment from SSEN Transmission, which is 75% owned by SSE plc.