Electrifying the Scottish Highlands

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has joined the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and SP Energy Networks (SPEN) to lead the charge on EV infrastructure with a £7.5m strategic partnership.

The funding will see SSEN and SPEN trial projects to widen access to electric vehicle charging networks and provide the electricity infrastructure needed to support it.  SSEN will be working in the north of Scotland examining what electricity network infrastructure will be needed to support the increasing number of tourists expected to use electric vehicles. 

Infrastructure needs for new charging points along the route of the first-of-its-kind Electric A9 will be also be identified and mapped.  

In central and southern Scotland, SP Energy Networks trial will explore and deliver additional public electric vehicle charging infrastructure integrated with the electricity network. 

Speaking during a visit to University of Strathclyde Power Networks Demonstration Centre, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This partnership highlights the critical role that electricity networks have to play in delivering a zero carbon energy system, and in facilitating an electric vehicle revolution and the provision of clean energy for transport.

“This project will develop a new model for delivering both EV charging and electricity network infrastructure which can more effectively satisfy Scotland’s ambitions, including delivering inclusive universal access to the benefits of the decarbonisation of transport.”

The partnership includes SG funding of £5m and an additional £2.5m from SSEN and SP Energy Networks to deliver trial projects in 2020/2021.

Link to the webpage(s):

http://news.ssen.co.uk/news/all-articles/2019/august/charging-ahead-with-evs/