SSEN Transmission renews partnership with BAM and Siemens Energy

SSEN Transmission has renewed its partnership with BAM and Siemens Energy regarding the delivery of onshore transmission infrastructure schemes.

BAM and Siemens Energy will support SSEN Transmission in delivering onshore transmission infrastructure schemes, working to help deliver the substations that are required to connect the transmission network in north Scotland by 2030.

The partners signed a transformative contract under the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework.

“We are delighted to be continuing with our long-standing relationship with SSEN and our Joint Venture Partner Bam, delivering the ASTI programme as part of the Network for Net Zero – pathway to 2030,” said Mark Pilling, Vice President of Grid Solutions Europe at Siemens Energy.

“The Energy Transition and achieving Net Zero is one of the greatest challenges facing us in generations. As a Joint Venture we have the know how, technology, people and skills to enable the deployment of innovative solutions to deliver the infrastructure required for ASTI.”

SSEN Transmission is investing over £20 billion to upgrade the network infrastructure across the north of Scotland until 2030. According to the company, as a mass transporter of renewable energy, the north of Scotland electricity transmission network has a major role to play in supporting the delivery the UK’s 2030 net zero targets, connecting new onshore and offshore renewable generation and transporting the power generated to demand centers in the rest of Scotland and beyond.

“Over the past decade BAM and Siemens Energy have combined as a Joint Venture to successfully deliver a number of our flagship substation schemes,” said Paul Leddie, Director of Procurement at SSEN Transmission.

“Following their success in the recent ASTI tender process, it is fantastic news that this strong collaboration will continue across a number of our ASTI programme substation schemes, helping deliver the transition to Net Zero whilst creating jobs and delivering tangible benefits to local communities.”

At the end of 2022, Ofgem approved the strategic electricity transmission reinforcements required to deliver the UK Government’s 50 GW offshore wind by 2030 target, set out as part of the ASTI framework.

The decision confirmed that all SSEN Transmission projects identified by the electricity system operator (ESO) as required to meet 2030 offshore wind targets would be taken forward. These include two 2 GW subsea HVDC links from Peterhead to England, a 2 GW subsea HVDC link from Spittal in Caithness, connecting to Peterhead, as well as a 1.8 GW subsea HVDC link from Arnish on the Western Isles to the Beauly area near Inverness.