We follow a strategic network planning process to ensure that we meet the needs of our customers today while enabling pathways to net zero.

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The Distribution Network Options Assessment and Network Development Plan provide visibility to our stakeholders of our methodology and results of our decision making process

Distribution Network Options Assessment

SSEN’s DSO aim to increase transparency in our network investment decisions, as outlined in our DSO Action Plan. To this end, our Distribution Network Options Assessment (DNOA) provides visibility of our decision-making process as the network adapts to facilitate the net zero transition.

Our DNOA methodology encompasses:

  • Ensuring transparency: our approach to providing transparency and visibility of our decisions to our stakeholders.

  • Forecasting through DFES: our investment decisions are informed by the Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES), offering a forward-looking perspective to stakeholders.

  • Long-term strategic view: we go beyond the industry standard 5–10 year view of network needs provided in network development plans, considering future system needs up to 2050.

  • Cost-benefit analysis: our method involves using various tools to compare the costs and benefits of strategic investment options.

This approach to DNOA emphasises proactive investment strategies to avoid costly disruptions from repeated network upgrades as demand and generation patterns shift and grow. It considers factors like adopting a "flexibility-first" approach, addressing future investment needs at all voltage levels, and prioritising stakeholder input to guide network development. Collaboration with flexibility providers and alignment with evolving community needs are crucial aspects of this approach, ensuring efficient whole system solutions and inclusive decision-making.

The DNOA process establishes a transparent decision-making framework, providing opportunities for distributed energy resources and flexibility providers to meet forecasted needs. It emphasizes stakeholder value optimisation, energy efficiency, and iterative improvement through annual renewal and incorporation of stakeholder feedback. Our DNOA outcome reports are published and available to view or download here.

Network Development Plan

Network Development Plan 

Our Network Development Plan (NDP) provides interested parties with information out to 2034 regarding the likely network capacity based on proposed network development in both our SEPD and SHEPD licence areas. The NDP builds on the Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES), considering future system needs across multiple scenarios out to 2050, and highlights future flexibility opportunities and network interventions that we may develop and deliver in our licence areas. The NDP is published as a collection of documents:

  • The NDP Methodology describing the end-to-end network planning process.

  • The Network Scenario Headroom Reports indicating where it is anticipated that there will be network capacity to accommodate future connections and where flexibility services may be required.
  • The Network Development Report providing information on key projects set for delivery in terms of new infrastructure to be installed and upcoming flexible services to be employed.

  •  The NDP consultation document describing the consultation process and how to get involved.

Network Development Plan Documents