Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution is to undertake £41 million of strategic investment in its electricity networks to support a green economic recovery and accelerate key low-carbon projects across the north of Scotland and central southern England.

The scheme, which will unlock over 122MW of additional capacity, is a result of close collaboration with Ofgem and other electricity network operators to understand how early investment in the distribution network could drive green economic growth, create skilled jobs, and support the deployment of low-carbon projects.

As part of the scheme, £7m will be invested in two Oxfordshire villages, creating capacity for local decarbonisation ambitions and to support the delivery of the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure critical for the transition to net zero.

  • Over £3.9m will be invested in Wheatley to reinforce 10km of overhead line and 1km of underground cable serving the village and motorway service area. The 24-month project works will unlock an additional 14MW of capacity, enabling residents of Wheatley and the surrounding area to make the switch to low carbon technologies and create the potential for additional EV charging at Welcome Break's Oxford Services at J8A on the M40.
  • £3.1m will be invested in Witney to create 14MW of extra capacity. SSEN will replace two transformers serving the market town to ensure the network is ready for households, businesses, and the wider community to make the switch to low-carbon technologies.

SSEN will also install approximately 1,000 low voltage monitors at key points across its distribution network areas, providing near real-time visibility in areas where high levels of electricity demand from increased uptake of electric vehicles and electric heating is predicted. This will enable the network operator to better manage local infrastructure, identifying how best to optimise capacity.

The multimillion-pound investment in Oxfordshire's infrastructure will support local and national decarbonisation ambitions creating capacity for three charging hubs at Welcome Break's Oxford Services.

Range anxiety is one of the key barriers to individuals switching to EVs. With the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles being banned from 2030, SSEN is playing a leading role in delivering the infrastructure required to support and accelerate the EV transition as part of the green recovery.

Welcome Break's Oxford Services are in an important location for the UK's road network. Having a network of strategically placed EV charging facilities will be key to ensuring infrastructure is ready for EV growth, helping facilitate longer journeys for EVs and growing confidence in the sector.

The transition to a net zero future will create exciting opportunities for households, businesses, and communities to play a more active role in the UK's energy system. The investment in Oxfordshire will be critical in removing barriers to participation and ensuring the UK's network infrastructure is ready for the ambitions of the communities it serves.

Welcome Break was one of the successful applicants to the Green Recovery programme.

John Diviney, CEO of Welcome Break, said:

"We are delighted to be a part of this fantastic initiative which is a crucial step in delivering a green recovery. Asone ofthe UK's leading motorway service area operators, we are committed to supporting the delivery of the charging infrastructure required to support the switch to electric vehicles. This will be critical in giving our customers the confidence to switch and in ensuring we can respond to increased demand for rapid charging.

"The transition to net zero will require collaboration and coordination. This is an important example of how business and regulators working together can support the acceleration of the UK's efforts to address climate change. I look forward to working closely with SSEN in the future to deliver further rapid charging and an EV network ready for net zero."

SSEN's plans are part of a £300m programme of investment announced on Monday  by the energy regulator Ofgem.

Chris Burchell, Managing Director, SSEN Distribution, said:

"We are determined to play our full part in addressing the twin challenges of the economic and social recovery from coronavirus and the impending climate emergency, where local electricity networks will play a vital role. With COP26 on the horizon, today's investment demonstrates how collaborative action and regulatory flexibility can help us achieve this aim and power change for our customers and society.

"The green recovery scheme provides a blueprint for future agile investment in our networks in the coming years, where rapid progress will be required to keep pace with net zero. By undertaking £40 million in strategic network investment now, we are helping unlock innovative low-carbon projects at the right time, boosting local economies and supporting communities to achieve their net zero ambitions."

Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem said:

"This £300 million down payment is just the start of building back a greener energy network which will see well over £40 billion of investment in Britain's energy networks in the next seven years.

"The payment will support the rapid take up of electric vehicles which will be vital if Britain is to hit its climate change targets. Drivers need to be confident that they can charge their car quickly when they need to. We're paving the way for the installation of 1,800 ultra-rapid charge points, tripling the number of these public charge points. Drivers will have more charging options for longer journeys.

"In the year that Glasgow hosts the COP26 climate summit, the energy networks are rising to the challenge and working with us and partners to accelerate projects that can start now, benefiting consumers, boosting the economy and creating jobs."

Following the announcement Rachel Maclean MP, Transport Minister said:

"I warmly welcome today's news from Ofgem, which will greatly improve the resilience of our charging network as we build back greener.

"With more than 500,000 electric cars now on UK roads, this will help to increase this number even further as drivers continue to make the switch to cleaner, greener vehicles."