Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has commissioned REGEN to undertake a 'future energy scenario' analysis of its north of Scotland network and is inviting interested stakeholders to attend a consultation workshop in Glasgow on Tuesday 25 June.

The study will map out the potential growth impact of meeting the UK's climate change commitments on SSEN's licence area in the north of Scotland.

Looking at the period from 2018 to 2032, the study will develop scenarios for the growth of new sources of demand and distributed generation connecting to SSEN's electricity distribution network, based on National Grid's four Future Energy Scenarios:

Community Renewables, which explores how the UK's decarbonisation target can be achieved through a more decentralised energy landscape with high levels of smaller scale, local and domestic activity.

Two Degrees, which explores how the decarbonisation target can be achieved with a focus on larger and more centralised technologies. This scenario features changes to the energy landscape such as hydrogen heating networks and large-scale transmission connected generation technologies such as nuclear and offshore wind.

Consumer Evolution, which is a decentralised scenario that makes progress towards the decarbonisation target but fails to fully achieve it. Deployment is focused on smaller scale, local and domestic projects.

Steady Progression, which is a centralised scenario that makes progress towards, but does not meet, the decarbonisation target. In the timescale of this study, the scenario sees very low deployment of renewable technologies with gas generation continuing to play a significant role.

Stewart Reid, Head of Future Networks at SSEN, said:

"This study is an important step in our transition to a Distribution System Operator, providing better visibility of the network to encourage and facilitate customer engagement as we deliver a smarter, more flexible grid to help the UK realise its ambitious decarbonisation targets."

"I'd encourage interested stakeholders to attend the workshop, speak to our teams and listen to our presentations on how we are working to enable the transition to a low-carbon world through flexibility and market participation."

The event will be held on Tuesday 25 June 2019 between 9.30am and 2pm at 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5SG.

For more information, and to register your attendance, please visit:

https://www.ssen.co.uk/StakeholderEvent/Registration/?EventId=421