Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has launched a search to find “shovel-ready” green energy projects.
The six-week call for evidence, which was opened today, aims to identify sustainable initiatives that can be accelerated by network investment over the next two years.
Up to £300 million is available across Great Britain, tens of millions of which will be spent in the north of Scotland and central southern England, SSEN’s electricity distribution areas.
Local authorities, developers, and other parties are being urged to engage with the process and to state their case as to why extra network capacity in their locality should be targeted for priority investment.
SSEN said there is a “particular interest” in evidence about locations where network investment can be made quickly to support developments that are good to go and underpin the transition to net-zero.
The UK and Scottish Governments have both made several commitments to delivering a green economic recovery from Covid-19.
In collaboration with Ofgem and other electricity network companies, SSEN has drawn up plans to unlock early investment, driving green jobs and growth across the north of Scotland.
Projects which are able to demonstrate “least-regrets” expenditure will be targeted.
SSEN will also be holding webinars to assist stakeholders in understanding the eligibility of our projects and how their evidence can make a difference.
Following the call to evidence process, the firm, which is a subsidiary of SSE, will submit its green recovery investment plans to Ofgem for approval with a final decision to be made in May.
Chris Burchell, Managing Director, SSEN Distribution, said: “At SSEN, we are committed to supporting an inclusive economic recovery from coronavirus whilst taking action to accelerate net zero. By unlocking early network investment where we know it will enable green growth, this scheme will help create jobs, boost local economies and drive further progress toward a zero-carbon world.
“We look forward to receiving input from stakeholders through the call for evidence process and working in collaboration to help deliver the net zero ambitions of the communities we serve.”
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Westminster’s energy minister, said: “The UK’s energy system is one of the most advanced in the world and through the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our Energy White Paper, we are ensuring that it is also the greenest so we can eliminate our contribution to climate change.
“Unlocking investment in the grid is vital to speed up the development of clean, green technologies that cut emissions and create thousands of jobs as we build back greener.”
Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: “With the clock ticking on the UK’s race to hit net zero carbon emissions, we cannot afford to delay in building a clean energy infrastructure that will help power our transport and heat our homes emissions-free.
“We’re urging electricity network companies to come forward with fresh new sites for green investment, starting work quickly, to help kick start the green recovery.”
Recommended for you
