SSEN Transmission has confirmed plans to construct a £150 million, purpose-built training centre at Thainstone Business Park near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, marking a major investment in jobs, skills and the resilience of Scotland's electricity network.

The new hub will serve employees and contractor partners who operate, maintain and expand the high-voltage transmission network across the north of Scotland. It will combine modern classrooms with an operational yard for hands-on instruction across realistic scenarios.

Located within Thainstone Business Park, owned by ANM Group, the centre forms part of SSEN Transmission's wider £29 billion programme to upgrade and strengthen the transmission grid in support of the UK's clean energy ambitions.

Once open, the facility is expected to put hundreds of people through training annually, using specialist equipment and capabilities to prepare the next generation of engineers and technical specialists for both existing and emerging technologies.

When first announced in June, the plans were welcomed by the First Minister, John Swinney; Aberdeenshire Council Co-Leaders, Cllr Stewart Adams and Cllr Anne Stirling; and the CEO of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Russell Borthwick.

A video from Network Director Dave McKay provides further detail on the project.

Around 10 permanent roles are planned for the site, covering training, operational and support functions. These will be backed by experienced local engineers and external tutors to deliver a high-quality programme and create routes into the energy sector, including for career changers.

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The Thainstone centre will complement SSEN Transmission's Faskally Training Centre in Perth, blending classroom learning with practical environments and offering dedicated space for innovation and testing before live network deployment.

The investment reflects the company's continued growth. Having recently welcomed its 3,000th employee and now recruiting for 500 additional roles by the end of March 2027, SSEN Transmission is expanding its workforce to support a secure, affordable and low-carbon energy system.

Dave McKay, Network Director at SSEN Transmission, said: "Confirming Thainstone as the home of our new training centre is a significant milestone for SSEN Transmission and a major investment in the people and skills that will be essential to delivering the energy transition.

"As we continue to invest in the electricity network needed for the future, having a dedicated facility where colleagues and contractor partners can develop practical skills in a safe, modern and realistic environment will be invaluable.

"Aberdeenshire has a proud engineering heritage and a highly skilled workforce, making Thainstone an ideal location for this new facility. As well as supporting hundreds of trainees each year, the centre will bring wider benefits to local businesses and communities while helping ensure we have the talent and expertise required to maintain and develop the network for decades to come."

Grant Rogerson, Chief Executive of the ANM Group Ltd, said: "We are delighted that SSEN Transmission has chosen Thainstone as the preferred location for this important new training facility, which represents a significant endorsement of both the location and the opportunities that exist here for future investment and growth.

"SSEN Transmission's plans for this facility are a welcome step forward in our long-term vision for Thainstone. The development aligns with our ambitions and has the potential to create long-term, wider economic value for the area. We look forward to continuing to work with SSEN Transmission as their plans progress."

In a joint statement, Aberdeenshire Council Co-Leaders, Cllr Stewart Adams and Cllr Anne Stirling, said: "We warmly welcome investment in this new SSEN Transmission training facility, which represents a significant vote of confidence in the north-east of Scotland. This facility will play an important role in training the workforce of tomorrow, ensuring that our region remains at the heart of the UK's energy transition. By delivering high-quality, industry-led skills development locally, it will create new and lasting employment opportunities while enabling people and businesses to thrive as the energy sector evolves."

The project is also expected to deliver wider economic benefits through increased local spending by visitors and operational activity linked to the centre.

Members of the public can learn more and share feedback at consultation events in The Bothy Function Suite, Thainstone, between 3pm and 7pm on Wednesday 23 September and Tuesday 27 October.