SSEN Transmission has launched a new sustainability strategy outlining its commitment to a positive and equitable transition to net zero.

Headquartered in Perth, SSEN Transmission plays a crucial role in connecting and transporting renewable energy sources across northern Scotland. The company's new strategy aims to ensure that this transition is fair and sustainable, leaving a lasting positive impact on communities, people, the environment, and the economy.

Focusing on six key areas – communities, people, climate, nature, procurement, and performance – the strategy provides stakeholders with insight into SSEN Transmission's priorities as they work towards a net zero future. Developed through extensive engagement with over 150 stakeholder groups, the strategy will inform the company's decision-making and actions until 2030.

Sarah Beattie-Smith, SSEN Transmission's Senior Sustainability manager, said: "The strategy allows us to act on our core value of sustainability, making sure that we play our part in delivering a transition that is fair and sustainable, and that leaves a positive legacy for generations to come.

"The scale of network growth in the north of Scotland is significant, and we recognise that the unprecedented pace and scale of network expansion will have impacts – on communities hosting our infrastructure, on the natural environment, and on the climate. We've created this strategy to make sure those impacts are positive, and that we are doing the right thing for people and the planet.

"We want to make sure we're not just leaving things how we found them but improving them and leaving a positive legacy – from creating new jobs and homes and supporting, local suppliers across the north of Scotland, to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and restoring natural habitats – there is so much to be excited about in this strategy."

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Lang Banks, Director of WWF Scotland said: "To tackle the climate and nature emergency, we need every business to commit to cutting carbon, restoring our natural environments, and ensuring the transition to net zero is fair for workers, communities, and consumers. And, to fully unlock our country's clean renewable power resources, cut household fuel bills, and create jobs we rapidly need to upgrade the electricity network. It's very positive to see a business like SSEN Transmission setting targets and objectives towards all these goals."

Claire Mack, Chief Executive at Scottish Renewables, said: "Scotland's renewable energy industry is at the forefront of tackling the climate and nature emergency, helping to deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits. The transformation of Scotland's electricity networks is critical for driving forward the renewable energy projects at the heart of our just transition to net-zero. It is therefore very welcome to see SSEN Transmission develop a Sustainability Strategy which will help secure a more sustainable and prosperous future for local communities across the North of Scotland."

Pioneers in marine habitat restoration

Nature is a key focus area within the new Sustainability Strategy that SSEN Transmission is committed to protecting and enhancing, building on the commitment to achieve 10% biodiversity net gain on all projects gaining consent to ensure SSEN Transmission leave a positive impact on nature and the environment.

With several major new transmission projects set to include subsea infrastructure, such as the new Eastern Green Link 2 project, the Orkney Link Project and Western Isles HVDC Link, the company is particularly committed to establishing themselves as pioneers in marine habitat restoration by 2030. 

Already SSEN Transmission has strong links with organisations such as the Orkney Skate Trust, who specifically monitor and record the number of critically endangered flapper skate around the Orkney isles with an overall aim of trying to reverse their decline. Through the new Sustainability Strategy, work with similar marine organisations is to be enhanced, including partnering with other grassroots organisations, citizen science groups and established industry bodies such as Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) to develop projects to restore and monitor Scotland's marine habitats. 

Future projects include a focus on native oyster restoration as well as contributing towards seagrass nurseries, helping to ensure these precious native species and habitats can grow and thrive again in Scottish waters.

Network for Net Zero

SSEN Transmission is on a rapid growth path, delivering a huge programme of work known as the Pathway to 2030 - worth over £20 billion – the largest investment package that Scotland's electricity system has ever seen.

This growth will more than double the renewable generation connected to SSEN Transmission's network in the north of Scotland, delivering the capability to meet 20% of the GB demand for clean power by 2030. This network development is making a significant positive contribution to meeting net zero targets in Scotland and the UK.