Aberdeenshire Council has granted planning approval for SSEN Transmission’s Netherton Hub, a major grid infrastructure project designed to enhance the UK’s clean energy transmission network and improve energy security.
Located west of Peterhead, the development is part of SSEN Transmission’s broader £22 billion investment programme. The Netherton Hub will include high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations, multiple substations, and future-proofed transmission halls to enable the efficient flow of renewable electricity across Scotland and into wider markets.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, following two years of design work and public consultation.
“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,” said Alison Hall, director of development at SSEN Transmission.
The project is projected to deliver over £54 million in gross value added (GVA) during construction, alongside £2.5 million in community benefit funding. The company has also committed to long-term employment and housing initiatives in the local area.
According to economic forecasts, SSEN Transmission’s wider infrastructure investment plans could support up to 17,500 jobs across Scotland and add as much as £7 billion to the national economy.
The Netherton Hub is one of several large-scale grid projects being developed to accommodate rising volumes of renewable generation and support the UK’s target of decarbonising its electricity system by 2035.
