SSEN
Transmission welcomes 'Beyond 2030' investment plan for future
energy system
SSEN Transmission, part of leading electricity
infrastructure company SSE, welcomes today's publication by
National Grid ESO (the ESO) of its 'Beyond 2030'
report.
Today's publication builds on the ESO's
'Pathway to 2030' Holistic Network Design from 2022 which
established the blueprint for the electricity transmission network
infrastructure required to enable the UK Government's 2030 50GW
offshore wind target, which included around 11GW of ScotWind
generation.
The 'Beyond 2030' plan will connect another
tranche of ScotWind whilst also setting out options to deliver the
remainder. It will also enable the connection of other low
carbon technologies, further supporting the country's transition to
net zero and helping deliver energy security through the deployment
of homegrown, low carbon electricity generation.
For the north of Scotland, the ESO's plan
confirms the need for a number of projects to proceed now for
delivery by 2035, which combined represent a potential estimated
investment of over £5bn for SSEN Transmission. These
are:
ESO
code
|
Description
|
Shetland Hub
|
A second High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
subsea link from Shetland, connecting to Coachford (Blackhillock 2)
substation
|
NNNC
|
A new single 400kV circuit between New Deer and
Greens (New Deer 2) substations
|
DSUP
|
A new 400kV double circuit between Dounreay,
Thurso and Banniskirk (Spittal 2), with new 400kV substations at
Dounreay and Thurso
|
BKUP
|
Rebuild the existing Blackhillock-Kintore 275kV
double circuit to 400kV with a new 400kV substation required along
its route
|
PKUP
|
Increase the capacity of the planned Peterhead
to Longside (Peterhead 2) 400kV double circuit with a higher
capacity 400kV double circuit; upgrade the existing
Peterhead-Persley-Kintore 275kV double circuit to 400kV including a
new substation along its route; and install a higher capacity
conductor on sections of the existing Kintore-Alyth-Kincardine
400kV double circuit
|
ECRE
|
Upgrade a short section of the existing
Errochty to Clunie 132kV double circuit with a higher capacity
132kV circuit
|
Progression of these investments will require
an appropriate regulatory framework, including early confirmation
that SSEN Transmission will be the Delivery Body, alongside
securing all planning and regulatory approvals. They will
also be subject to extensive public consultation to help inform the
development of these new and upgraded network infrastructure
requirements.
For the other projects in the north of Scotland
included in the ESO's 'Beyond 2030' report, further assessment is
necessary to determine the appropriate level of investment required
to enable the full potential of ScotWind to be realised, including
the most appropriate solution for the required north-south transfer
of power.
ENDS
Notes to
Editors
The ESO's 'Beyond 2030' publication
can be found via the following link:
https://www.nationalgrideso.com/future-energy/beyond-2030
About SSEN Transmission
· SSEN
Transmission is responsible for the electricity transmission
network in the north of Scotland, investing in and maintaining the
high voltage 132kV, 220kV, 275kV, 400kV and HVDC electricity
transmission network.
· SSEN
Transmission's strategic objective is to enable the transition to a
low carbon economy. It does this by building the electricity
transmission network infrastructure required to connect and
transport renewable electricity from the north of Scotland to areas
of demand, as it delivers a network for net zero
emissions.
· SSEN
Transmission is owned 75% by SSE plc and 25% by Ontario Teachers'
Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers').
· Learn
more about SSEN Transmission by visiting www.ssen-transmission.co.uk,
twitter at @ssetransmission, LinkedIn or Instagram.