Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution today published plans to invest
The
SSEN Distribution plans to increase its investment by around a third in the north of
From connecting more electric vehicles and supporting the decarbonisation of heat across homes and businesses to reducing power interruptions, the network operator is set to play a key role in delivering the
'Networks will unlock the electrification of the economy with billions of pounds in investment to create modernised local electricity grids fit for a net zero future. Our RIIO-ED2 business plan represents an important and critical step in this journey.'
'As energy policy and targets accelerate at pace, it's critical we invest at the right level now to meet this ambition and avoid a higher cost future. We now need Ofgem to support this aim by providing an agile price control framework which gives the certainty and flexibility required to meet evolving policy and customer needs.
'Our purpose is to power communities to thrive today and create a net zero tomorrow. Aligned with that, our plan has been co-created with the customers and communities we serve. It will improve reliability, support the most vulnerable, cut carbon, get EVs on the roads and enable cleaner heating in homes as well as create hundreds of well-paid and secure green jobs in our regions.
'Our proposals are ambitious, including a sector-leading commitment to a 1.5-degreeC science-based target pathway; balanced, delivering the investment required to enable the energy transition and affordable, with no planned increase to network charges on customer bills, something we recognise is important in the wider context of overall energy costs.'
SSEN's business plan has been shaped by over 25,000 customer and stakeholder voices, turning ambition into action.
Titled 'Powering communities to net zero', it sets out six, clear goals that SSEN will deliver for customers and communities by 2028
Create a foundation for net zero by investing
Reduce the frequency and duration of power interruptions by 20%
Achieve a customer satisfaction score of at least 92% in every contact area
Support 200,000 customers in fuel poverty with targeted support and energy efficiency measures
Facilitate the connection of 1.3m electric vehicles and 800,000 heat pumps on its network
Cut its business carbon footprint by 35% aligned to a 1.5-degreeC science-based target, accredited by the Science Based Targets initiative
This significant increase in investment will be delivered with no planned rise in distribution costs on customer energy bills, supporting a just and fair transition to net zero.[1]
Of its proposed
Recognising the unique role SSEN plays, it plans to go above and beyond in its support for communities, vulnerable customers and the environment, with innovative projects including using its subsea cables to support broadband rollout to remote islands, setting up a dedicated team to directly support local authorities and community groups with their net zero plans and assisting vulnerable customers with energy efficiency and personal resilience support. These additional proposals are forecast to deliver over
The final ED2 plan will now be assessed by Ofgem, with determinations published in 2022, ahead of the new price control commencing in
SSEN Distribution's Business Plan was included within its parent company
Contact:
Tel: 0800 048 3516
Email: transmission.commercial@sse.com
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