As world leaders prepare to gather in Glasgow to progress action in tackling climate change, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has launched a specially developed website to power its customers on their own journey to net-zero.
The SSEN Smarter Electricity site has been designed to help SSEN's 3.8 million customers across the north of Scotland and central southern England learn more about the role local electricity networks play in the transition to a net-zero UK, and how they can start to switch to greener living in their everyday lives.
The Climate Change Committee's Sixth Carbon Budget outlined expectations that electricity demand could double by 2035, as people across the UK start to make the switch to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. The UK and Scottish Government have set ambitious targets for the decarbonisation of transport and heat, mandating the end of petrol and diesel sales by 2030 and from 2028, the installation of 600,000 heat pumps per year. In SSEN's distribution network areas alone, this means that the number of EVs on the road is set to rise exponentially from around 30,000 today to 1.3 million by 2028, with 800,000 heat pumps installed by this time.
Through a series of interactive pages, the Smarter Electricity site guides web users through an informative journey detailing how they can be part of the green revolution, with helpful sections on electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps, energy efficiency and information on future smart networks; all designed to help SSEN's customers find their path on the road to net-zero.
Explaining how SSEN's networks are being designed, built and maintained for a net-zero world, the site challenges users to undertake the 'Are you EV ready?' quiz, to help them decide how and when the move to net-zero motoring is right for them.
Users can also explore how their own local network is evolving to support new electricity demand through interactive heat maps, which show current and future density of low carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps, and the locations of existing and planned electric vehicle charge points across postcode areas.
Chris Burchell, Managing Director of SSEN Distribution, said:
"Climate change is a global problem that requires local solutions, and energy networks have a key role to play in bridging the gap between Government ambition and action for customers and communities.
"We're investing in our network so that it can support the doubling of electricity demand that is anticipated over the next decade, as customers switch to new low carbon technologies such as EVs and heat pumps.
"But investing in the capacity of our network is only one important element. We're also developing our system to become smart and flexible to empower customers and communities to take control of their energy use and interact with their local electricity grids in new and exciting ways.
"It's important that we support customers on this journey, by providing them with the information they need to make informed choices and give them the confidence to make the switch to low carbon technologies."
SSEN is committed to enabling a fair and equal transition to net-zero for all, and the development of its new website is part of this commitment to its customers, so no one is left behind in this journey.
Whether you are an early adopter of low carbon technologies or just starting to embrace the electric vehicle experience, SSEN has developed this website to provide you with all the information you need to understand the role of your local network and explore the opportunities available to you on your journey to net-zero.