Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has announced the publication of its second annual Whole System Coordination Register – drawing together the activities undertaken in partnership with other network businesses, local authorities, wider industry and users to deliver net zero.

Renewable electricity generation and the uptake of low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, are posing unprecedented demands on the network. SSEN is working to coordinate and cooperate more widely than ever before, adopting a 'whole systems' approach to work with stakeholders throughout and beyond the energy sector. Identifying synergies with third parties builds opportunities to deliver cost-effective and timely decarbonisation.

The Whole System Register sets out the full portfolio of SSEN's innovation and business-as-usual activities which are helping to build the technology, services and expertise to deliver net zero. The Register will allow SSEN's stakeholders to gain a clear understanding of the work that the business is doing and where they could engage.

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SSEN's priorities to support net zero are set out in their RIIO-ED2 Business Plan (2023 – 2028), a new price control period which began in April, this year. Its four commitments - to deliver a safe, resilient and responsive network; to provide a valued and trusted service for customers and communities; to accelerate progress towards net zero and to make a positive impact on society - will all be facilitated by the innovation projects included in the Whole System Register. 

Adam Bain, Strategic Network Development Manager for DSO at SSEN, said: "We published our first Whole System Coordination Register in May 2022, and since then the Strategic Network Development team and wider SSEN Distribution business have driven more collaborative engagement to deliver net zero ambitions in a coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

"This year's release of the Whole System Coordination Register demonstrates how we've increased our engagement with other network owners, wider utilities, and external stakeholders to secure efficiencies in the roll out of infrastructure to support decarbonisation.

"We've got a feedback section built into our register to ensure stakeholders have clear channels to share their priorities with us, and we're looking forward to increasing our dialogue with them."

The register will continue to be updated annually, and regular assessments will be made by SSEN throughout the year, to ensure relevant recommendations from stakeholders are captured.

The Whole System Register for both distribution areas is available online for the north of Scotland and Central and Southern England.