SSE Plc's (LSE:SSE) electricity transmission subsidiary, SSEN Transmission, said a regulatory update published by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) points to more than £12bn in additional potential investment across new and upgraded grid infrastructure in the north of Scotland.
The "Beyond 2030 Update" identifies three specific reinforcements for the region, SSE noted.
It includes a new 2GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link from Aberdeenshire to Lincolnshire, designated EGL5; a second 2GW HVDC link in the Newmachar area connecting to southeast England, EGL6; and a new 400kV double-circuit overhead line running from Greens substation in Aberdeenshire to Harburn in the Scottish Power Energy Networks region.
The NESO also flagged a potential future upgrade to the existing Dounreay to Beauly 275kV overhead line, though that work is not actively progressing.
This latest publication builds on NESO's March 2024 "Beyond 2030" report, which set out an earlier tranche of north-Scotland reinforcements now at various stages of development.
SSEN Transmission noted that progression of these investments will require confirmation of its role as the designated delivery body, alongside securing planning and regulatory approvals, with public consultation on routes and substation locations to follow.
