Energy regulator, Ofgem, has approved proposals to upgrade the electricity transmission network in Argyll and Kintyre, finding that there is a clear need for the investment, paving the way to progress to the Final Needs Case stage of the regulatory approvals process.

At an estimated cost of around £400m, the 'Argyll and Kintyre Reinforcement Strategy' represents one of the biggest energy investments in the region in decades, supporting hundreds of skilled jobs throughout the construction phase and many more throughout the supply chain and wider economy, providing a major boost to local and national economies.

The investment is required to connect several new renewable electricity generation schemes across the region and to transport that power to areas of demand across Scotland and beyond. It will support the connection of at least 560MW of new renewable electricity generation, enough to power more than 500,000 homes.

-- Advertisement --

As well as supporting the transition to net zero emissions, the investment will also help secure the country's future energy independence by removing the country's dependence and price exposure to volatile, global wholesale gas markets, with the deployment of low carbon, affordable, renewable electricity generation.

In its decision on SSEN Transmission's Initial Needs Case, Ofgem has confirmed that the preferred option is 'reasonable and likely to provide the optimal solution' given the 'robust' background generation assumptions that underpin SSEN Transmission's Cost Benefit Analysis.

Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said: "We welcome Ofgem's confirmation of the need to upgrade the Argyll and Kintyre electricity transmission network to enable the growth in renewable electricity across the region. Today's decision is another major step forward in our journey towards delivering a network for net zero emissions in the north of Scotland.

"By enabling the growth in low carbon and affordable renewable electricity generation, this investment will also help support the country's future energy security, reducing our dependence and price exposure to volatile global wholesale gas markets.

"This investment will also create hundreds of skilled jobs throughout the supply chain as well as boosting local and national economies.

"We now look forward to working constructively with Ofgem and wider stakeholders to progress the timely submission and assessment of the Final Needs Case to unlock the investment required, alongside securing all necessary planning consents."

Subject to the timely approval of all necessary regulatory and planning approvals, SSEN Transmission expects construction to be underway from 2024, with energisation from 2026 onwards.