Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution announced on 21 December 2022 that it has appointed the Freedom Group of Companies Ltd as design and build contractor for a £41 million package of network investment projects1. The 12 schemes, approved by the energy regulator Ofgem, are intended to unlock over 122MW of additional capacity across the north of Scotland and central southern England1.
SSEN said the projects followed a competitive tendering process earlier this year and an extensive public call for evidence in 2021 involving local authorities, developers and community groups1. The company said it and Freedom expect to move into the detailed design and construction phase for all 12 projects in January 2023, with a view to all 12 being completed by July 20241. SSEN is also installing around 1,000 low voltage monitors at key points across its north and south distribution network areas, which it says will provide near real-time visibility in areas where high electricity demand from electric vehicles and electric heating is predicted1.
Andy Huthwaite, Director of Large Capital Delivery for SSEN Distribution, said:
"SSEN is delighted to announce the appointment of the Freedom Group of Companies Ltd to assist us in this substantial programme of works across our north and south distribution areas."
The individual projects and their stated capacity gains are set out below1.
| Location | Investment | Stated outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkwall, Orkney | £2.7m | Upgrade 16km of overhead lines; 7.3MW additional capacity |
| Clachan, North Uist | £2m | Replace transformer with two upgraded transformers; network serving around 1,300 homes and businesses |
| Dundee | £3m | Replace two transformers and 0.3km of underground cable; 12.8MW |
| Thurso | £2.8m | Replace transformers in Ormlie and Mount Pleasant; 12MW |
| Dorset | £2.2m | Replace 2km fluid cable and 0.8km solid cable; 7.2MW |
| Oxfordshire | £7m | Reinforce transformers, over 10km overhead line and 1km underground cable; 28MW |
| Rownhams, Hampshire | £9m | 30MW additional capacity |
| North Baddesley, Hampshire | Over £3.6m | Reinforce over 4.8km overhead line and 100m underground cable; 12.8MW |
| Bishops Waltham, Hampshire | £2.9m | Over 5.5MW additional capacity |
The Hampshire sites account for a combined £16m of the total1. SSEN states that the investment is intended to accommodate increased demand for electric vehicle charging and the electrification of heat1.
Why it matters for households
The capacity released by these schemes is the headroom that determines how quickly homes and businesses on these networks can connect low carbon technologies. SSEN states the investment will help customers adopt electric vehicles, heat pumps and solar panels, and that the low voltage monitors will let it better manage local infrastructure and identify how best to optimise capacity1. For a household, the practical effect of constrained local capacity can be a longer wait or a higher cost to connect a heat pump or chargepoint. SSEN is the electricity distribution network operator for over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland1; the arrangements for identifying and contacting a distribution network operator are set out in the site's guide to who is my distribution network operator. The wider context of how electricity and gas reach a property is covered in the national supply section and in the guide to gas distribution networks.
What happens next
SSEN and Freedom expect to enter detailed design and construction for all 12 projects in January 2023, with a view to completing all 12 by July 20241. No further dates have been reported.