As the electricity transmission owner for the north of Scotland, SSEN Transmission has a crucial role to play in delivering energy security and net zero for Scotland and the UK by developing, building, maintaining and operating a network for net zero – and the brand-new office space accommodates an expanding team in the granite city.
The new office is located at Kingswells, a village in the suburb of Aberdeen, at Prime Four, the award-winning business park and global energy hub in Scotland's north-east.
SSEN Transmission is undergoing a period of rapid growth, with the overall headcount at the organisation growing from around 500 in 2018 to over 1,600 today. Around 500 new employees are forecasted to join the business in 2023, with around 80 of these roles in early career pathways. More recruitment is also expected to come as the company gears up to deliver its ambitions 'Pathway to 2030' programme of electricity transmission network development projects.
The new office was officially opened by the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work, and Energy, Neil Gray MSP, who was welcomed by SSEN Transmission's Managing Director, Rob McDonald, for a tour of the new space, meeting colleagues who have transitioned from an Oil and Gas background, alongside some of the company's new Aberdeen based trainees and graduates. To commemorate the official opening, Mr Gray revealed a plaque next to the company's moss feature-wall, which sits proudly in the foyer outside the new office's entrance.
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The site contains desk space, meeting rooms and collaboration areas – designed to encourage staff to get together in person to collaborate, innovate and communicate – as they work on the development, maintenance and operation of electricity transmission infrastructure across the country.
SSEN Transmission, the transmission business unit of the SSE Group, has a longstanding presence in Aberdeen and the new office launch underlines the company's commitment to the city and north of Scotland as a whole.
Today's opening follows on from the company unveiling a brand-new office space, with capacity for 500 employees, at its headquarters in Perth, in 2022 – and as the business continues to grow, further expansion is expected across Scotland in the coming years, with plans announced for new state-of-the-art operations warehouses in Inverness and Dundee.
Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray MSP, said: "The trebling of SSEN Transmission's workforce since 2018 and the creation of this hub, and SSEN Transmission's investment in it, is a welcome sign of the new skills and opportunities being created in Aberdeen and the North East as we transition to net zero.
"The electricity network will be critical to delivering the ambitions set out in our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, and investment in networks will play a crucial role in creating long-term, high quality, green jobs that will attract and retain talent in communities across Scotland."
SSEN Transmission's Managing Director, Rob McDonald, said: "We're really excited to announce the official opening of our new Aberdeen office, and it's been great to welcome Cabinet Secretary, Neil Gray, to formally mark the occasion today. It's a big step for the company, as we strengthen our commitment to the north of Scotland and get ready to deliver one of the biggest investment programmes that the country has ever seen - building the electricity infrastructure needed to hit energy security and net zero targets.
"Our 'Pathway to 2030' programme presents Scotland with an enormous economic opportunity – and creating long-term, sustainable careers across the country is just one part of that.
"As a business we are passionate about our purpose – to deliver a network for net zero – and we work hard to ensure that we do this with all of our stakeholders in mind, including our communities, customers, shareholders and, of course, our employees. With the opening of our new Aberdeen office, and the promise of significant recruitment in the months and years ahead, it's an exciting time to be a part of our team."
SSEN Transmission's 'Pathway to 2030' programme of network development will involve a number of new and replacement high-voltage power lines being built across the north of Scotland to support the country's drive to net zero – and to deliver those projects the company is continuing to grow its workforce.
