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Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has revealed plans to make its transmission network ready for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The network has published its “network for net-zero” plans as part of its draft RIIO2 business case, which is due to finally submitted to Ofgem in December.
According to the plans, a minimum investment of £2.2 billion is needed over the RIIO2 five-year period, which runs from 2021 to 2026, to meet the needs of electricity generators and customers and to deliver the government’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The draft business plan includes 29 replacement and refurbishment programmes, new warehousing and spares for fast response and risk management of physical and cyber threats.
The document sets out five main goals, which include developing a network able to transport renewable electricity to 10 million homes and making sure that every connection delivered on time.
The plans also contain a commitment to reduce SSEN Transmission’s greenhouse gas emissions by a third and deliver £100 million in efficiency savings from innovation.
SSEN Transmission will now consult further with stakeholders ahead of submitting a final plan to Ofgem, as part of its RIIO2 price control process.
The regulator is due to consult with stakeholders during 2020 before determining what level of investment should be taken forward from 2021 through to 2026.
It comes days after SSEN was awarded £1.8 million of government funding to explore how the power grid responds to price signals.
The company received the grant from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of the £11 million Power Forward Challenge – a joint initiative with the Canadian government.
“Our network already supports over 6GW of clean power but continued investment in the electricity transmission system is key to unlocking the further potential the North of Scotland can play in meeting Governments’ targets for net zero greenhouse gas emissions,” said SSEN Transmission manager, Rob McDonald.
“Our ‘network for net-zero’ proposal is a balanced package that makes a powerful case for the vital investment needed to deliver the clean energy transition, reflecting the ambition our stakeholders have told us they want to see, at an affordable cost to consumers, whilst also providing a fair return to investors.”
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