The project of planned subsea electricity transmission links connecting Scotland and England are pivotal for the UK and Scotland’s 2030 offshore wind targets and the transition to net-zero emissions.
May 17, 2021
SSEN Transmission welcomes the publication of Ofgem’s consultation on the assessment of plans submitted by all three GB onshore electricity Transmission Owners (TOs) for the strategic and timely development of the first two of a series of planned subsea electricity transmission HVDC links connecting Scotland and England along the east coast.
Work to progress each of the 2GW links will now split into two projects. The Peterhead to Selby link, which has a targeted energization date of 2029, will be progressed jointly by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET); and the Torness to Hawthorn Pit link, with a targeted energization date of 2027, will be progressed jointly by SP Energy Networks and NGET. The three TOs will now consider the detail of Ofgem’s consultation and will work to address the issues raised in advance of the Final Needs Case submission later this year.
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Commenting on the consultation, Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said: “We welcome Ofgem’s recognition of the need for these investments, which are critical to support the delivery of the UK and Scottish Government’s 2030 offshore wind targets and the transition to net-zero emissions.”
To further support the forecast growth in renewables, particularly offshore wind and the UK and Scottish Government’s 2030 targets of 40GW and 11GW respectively, the second series of HVDC links from Scotland to England is also planned.
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As part of the UK Government’s Offshore Transmission Network Review (OTNR), the three TOs are working with Government, Ofgem, the GB Electricity System Operator (ESO), and the wider industry to help accelerate the significant investment in transmission infrastructure required to deliver a pathway to these 2030 targets.
