SSEN Transmission announced it will recruit 400 new employees across the north of Scotland in the next 12 months amid a £20 billion investment programme.

SSEN Transmission said it is setting out ambitious plans to “contribute to the development of 200 properties across the north of Scotland as a legacy of its Pathway to 2030 £20bn investment programme that will deliver an electricity grid that unlocks Scotland’s potential to be a clean energy powerhouse.”

The investment programme consists of new overhead lines, substations, convertor stations and subsea links and is part of a major upgrade of the electricity transmission system across Great Britain.

These works are required to meet UK and Scottish Government energy security and climate change targets, with the need for these investments independently assessed by the Electricity System Operator, and approved by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem.

SSEN Transmission MD Rob McDonald said: “This is one of the biggest investment programmes in the north of Scotland for almost a century. Our £20bn programme will help unlock cleaner, more secure energy for homes and businesses for generations to come.

“The north of Scotland can be a clean energy powerhouse and is set to play a leading role in delivering UK and Scottish Government energy security and net zero targets, but the benefits go way beyond energy.

“Our investments will enable thousands of skilled, green jobs across the region, placing multi-million-pound contracts with local supply chain partners and investing in community funds – creating billions of economic value for Scotland.

“The benefits are compelling, but as with any major infrastructure programme, we need to ensure that we effectively consult and act on the views of local communities. This is exactly what we are doing, and in outlining a range of significant alterations to our plans today – directly in response to community feedback – we have shown that we will act on the views of our stakeholders wherever possible.

“We now look forward to ongoing constructive engagement with local communities and wider stakeholders to help further inform the development of this critical national infrastructure in a way that balances the needs of all stakeholders, alongside delivering a lasting and positive legacy, unlocking the north of Scotland’s energy and economic potential.”

First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme is a major investment in the future of our electricity networks in the north of Scotland, and this latest announcement demonstrates it is paying dividends in terms of creating long-term, high quality green jobs as well as benefits for the wider economy.

“Projects like this embody and support the ambitions of our draft Energy Strategy, and will be vital to delivering a fair and just transition for our energy workers. It is clear that SSEN Transmission is committed to investing in the skills and talent in the north of Scotland as we move towards that crucial just transition to net zero, which is necessary not just for our energy needs, but for the sake of the planet.”