Skip to main content

Industry News: Key clean energy milestone reached as Netherton Hub receives go-ahead

August 25, 2025
Industry News: Key clean energy milestone reached as Netherton Hub receives go-ahead
  • Aberdeenshire Council grants approval for Netherton Hub – a key component of SSEN Transmission’s programme of grid upgrades across the north of Scotland, supporting clean power and energy security targets
  • Hub expected to deliver substantial economic and legacy benefits for the north-east of Scotland, including more than £2.5m in community benefit funding

Planning consent has been granted for the Netherton Hub – a strategic development located to the west of Peterhead, that will play a key role in transforming the electricity network in the north of Scotland, supporting national energy security and clean power targets.

Today’s decision by Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee follows two years of development and extensive community and stakeholder engagement by SSEN Transmission, including four face-to-face consultation rounds with over 400 attendees and more than 100 formal responses to proposals.

The Netherton Hub is a key component of the Perth-headquartered company’s £22bn+ investment programme and is part of a wider renewal of the electricity transmission system across Great Britain that is required to enable the homegrown low-carbon electricity needed to deliver clean power and energy security targets. The need for the project has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator, Ofgem.

Community feedback has helped shape the hub’s design, addressing concerns about flooding and visual impact through measures like dedicated land for drainage, screening, bunding, and landscaping. Once complete, the site will comprise:

  • A 400kV substation to support offshore and onshore electricity generation
  • A 132kV substation to support further future generation and storage connections from third party developers
  • The Spittal to Peterhead High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter station to support the transmission of renewable energy from new generators in the north of Scotland to demand centres throughout the UK
  • The Eastern Green Link 3 HVDC converter station to support the transmission of renewable energy from generators in the north of Scotland to Norfolk and beyond
  • A further transmission hall, with capacity for more infrastructure to future-proof the growing network
  • A spares warehouse and operations base

Now that consent has been granted, construction of the Netherton Hub is expected to commence early next year.

Alison Hall, Director of Development for SSEN Transmission, said:

“We are delighted with today’s decision, allowing us to progress a world-leading energy hub helping unlock the homegrown low-carbon electricity generation required to help deliver a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity system for current and future generations.

“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is also a major driver of jobs and economic activity, and we have already seen the positive impact of our projects in the north-east of Scotland – including Eastern Green Link 2 which has so far generated over £9m for the local economy in and around the Peterhead area.

“In addition, our community benefit funding proposals, ambitious housing legacy commitments, and the creation of new jobs within SSEN Transmission and our supply chain partners are also helping deliver a positive legacy in local communities.

“Today’s decision marks a key milestone in delivering UK and Scottish Government energy targets – one that will deliver a new strategic hub for onshore and offshore projects that will be critical to delivering a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system for future generations.”

Unlocking local benefits, supporting jobs and delivering economic growth

The Netherton Hub forms a key part of SSEN Transmission’s plans to invest at least £22bn in the period until March 2031, potentially rising to £31.7bn. It represents one of the largest ever private investment programmes in Scotland and will act as a major driver of jobs and economic growth across the country.

Economic analysis, which has been independently peer reviewed by leading consultancy BiGGAR Economics, forecast that if delivered in full, the potential £31.7bn total investment could support up to 17,500 jobs in Scotland, including 8,400 in the north of Scotland. It would also add up to £7bn in value to the Scottish economy, including £3bn in the north of Scotland. A socio-economic assessment produced by ARUP has found the proposed development could contribute £54.7 million to the total Gross Value Added (GVA) in the Aberdeenshire Council area during construction, and £1.61m per year during operation.

Reflecting the significant expansion of the transmission network planned across the north of Scotland, SSEN Transmission continues to grow its workforce, which has increased from around 400 in 2019 to over 2,500 today with plans to recruit around 600 new roles in 2025/2026. A series of new operational depots are also planned, including a new depot in the Peterhead area which is expected to support at least 20 full-time operational roles.

Following the publication of the UK Government’s Community Benefit Guidance for new electricity transmission infrastructure, over £100m of community benefit funding is expected across the north of Scotland, with the Netherton Hub alone expected to deliver more than £2.5m of community benefit funding.

SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme is also expected to support the development of at least 1,000 new homes across the north of Scotland, creating a legacy in the communities that will host construction workers by delivering housing that will support local need once projects are completed. SSEN Transmission is currently exploring sites that will deliver legacy housing, including land for future housing development, across the north of Aberdeenshire.

Get in touch

AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

Contact Us
“

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
“

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
“

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
“

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
“

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise