UK, Scotland: SSEN Transmission has welcomed the publication of the National Energy System Operator’s Beyond 2030 Update, which sets out further electricity transmission reinforcements needed across Great Britain.
For the north of Scotland, the update identifies several onshore and offshore upgrades representing a potential additional investment of around $16 B (£12 B) by SSEN Transmission. The projects are intended to help deliver UK and Scottish energy targets, remove grid bottlenecks and support the transfer of renewable electricity from generation areas to demand centres.
The proposed reinforcements include EGL5, a new 2 GW HVDC link from Longside, at the Netherton Hub in Aberdeenshire, to Lincolnshire via subsea cable. EGL6 would add another 2 GW HVDC link from the Newmachar area to southeast England.
The update also includes a new 400 kV double-circuit line from Greens substation in Aberdeenshire to Harburn in SP Energy Networks’ region. As part of this reinforcement, the existing 275 kV overhead line between Kintore and Tealing would be replaced with a higher-capacity 400 kV line.
NESO also confirmed the potential future need to upgrade the existing Dounreay–Loch Buidhe–Beauly 275 kV overhead line with higher-capacity conductors, although this is not currently being actively progressed.
Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said: “Investing in the electricity transmission network is the key enabler of a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity system for current and future generations.”
The projects will now move through development stages, including public consultation, stakeholder engagement, route assessment, substation location studies and technology choices, alongside planning and regulatory approvals.
Source: SSEN Transmission
