SSEN Transmission, the electricity transmission network operator for the north of Scotland, will host a webinar on 23 October to discuss the different technology options for transforming the grid in the region.

The webinar, titled 'Overground, underground, or subsea – how decisions are made on where electricity transmission lines go', will explore the complexities and challenges of transporting large amounts of renewable energy across the country.

Industry experts, including Professor Keith Bell from the University of Strathclyde and Julian Leslie from the National Energy System Operator, will discuss the technical, operational, environmental, and economic factors involved in transmission project decisions.

The webinar will provide insights into SSEN Transmission's £20 billion Pathway to 2030 program, which aims to create a network capable of supporting the transition to net zero. These upgrades are crucial for moving renewable energy from generation sites to where it is needed, helping to combat climate change and ensure energy security.


Attendees can submit questions in advance and will have the opportunity to ask questions during the webinar.

Commenting on the webinar, SSEN Transmission's Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Chris Bell, said: "Moving to clean, renewable, and homegrown energy is key to tackling both climate change and the energy crisis, and the grid needs to be dramatically transformed to help meet local and national heat, transport and electricity needs.

"We know that there are questions from our stakeholders around the different technology options selected for our proposals to deliver these extensive grid upgrades, which is why we're hosting this webinar to explain the challenges and considerations which must be taken when planning any infrastructure of this size and scale, and how selecting the right technology for the benefit of all is an extremely complex process.

"We're delighted to welcome industry experts from National Energy System Operator as well as University of Strathclyde and our own company to help explain more about the decision making behind the electrical technology we are proposing to build in the north of Scotland, which will play a huge role in decarbonising our electricity system and helping us achieve greater energy security across the country.

"We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about our Pathway to 2030 programme to sign up to attend and submit questions for our panel to consider."

The webinar is open to anyone, and attendees can register now on SSEN Transmission's website. The webinar will be held on Wednesday 23 October between 10.30am and 11.45am, with questions invited to be submitted in advance of the presentation. Questions will be grouped into themes and addressed anonymously. The webinar will be recorded and can be viewed after the event via SSEN Transmission's website.