What is SSE's plan for the electricity grid in northern Scotland?

SSE, the company that controls the electricity grid in northern Scotland, has announced a £33 billion investment plan to upgrade the grid over the next 5 years. The plan focuses on improving wiring and increasing high-voltage grid capacity to transport renewable energy from the north to customers in the south.

How will SSE's grid upgrade project impact local communities in the Highlands?

The proposed grid upgrade projects, which include erecting tall pylons and building large substations, have faced strong criticism from local communities in the Highlands and rural Aberdeenshire. They are concerned about the impact on the local environment and landscape.

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£33 Billion Grid Upgrade Planned for Northern Scotland

Q: What is the overall goal of SSE's £33 billion investment in the northern Scotland grid?

SSE's chief executive, Martin Pibworth, stated that the grid upgrade is critical to support the transition to renewable energy and ensure a reliable, secure, and clean power supply for the region. The investment will enable more renewable energy generated in the north to be transmitted to customers in the south.

13 Nov

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Summary

SSE plans £33 billion investment over 5 years
Upgrading wiring and increasing grid capacity in northern Scotland
Facing criticism from Highlands and Aberdeenshire communities

£33 Billion Grid Upgrade Planned for Northern Scotland

On November 13, 2025, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has revealed a £33 billion investment plan to overhaul the electricity grid in northern Scotland over the next 5 years. The company, which controls the power network in the region, intends to spend two-thirds of this budget on upgrading wiring and increasing high-voltage grid capacity. This will enable more renewable energy generated in the north to be transmitted to customers in the south.

However, SSE's ambitious plans have faced significant pushback from local communities in the Highlands and rural Aberdeenshire. The proposed projects include erecting tall pylons and building large substations, which have raised concerns about the impact on the local environment and landscape.

To address these issues, SSE's new chief executive, Martin Pibworth, stated that the company has conducted the "widest, broadest consultation ever held in the north of Scotland" and is working to address community concerns where possible. He emphasized the critical need to modernize the grid infrastructure to support the transition to renewable energy and ensure a reliable, secure, and clean power supply for the region.