Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks SSEN is one of the two Scottish companies that own the DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) and it covers a large part of Scotland and Southern England. It owns two PES Areas
- Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc
- PES/DNO Area: Scottish Hydro, 17
- Southern Electric Power Distribution plc
- PES/DNO Area: Southern, 20
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks carries electricity from the high voltage transmission grid, which is owned and operated by the National Grid, to industrial, commercial and domestic users across these regions. The distribution network stops at the electricity meter, which is owned by the meter operator.
This means that the most common reasons for people to be dealing with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks are:
- Power Cuts
- New Connections
- Upgrading or downgrading power supplies
- Connecting generation to the grid
- Finding out who your electricity supplier is
Power cuts
New Connections
| Connection Type | Guaranteed Standard | Average time to receive a quotation | Prices from (excl.VAT) | Average prices (excl.VAT) | Average time to get a connection from payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 standard domestic connection | 5 days | 4 days | £450 | £2,000 | 4 Weeks |
| Up to 4 standard domestic connections | 15 days | 5 days | £1,800 | £5,000 | 5 Weeks |
| Over 4 domestic connections (based on typical 5 connections with service works only) | 25 days | 7 days | £1,890 | £15,000 | 6 Weeks |
| Typical small business connection (up to 69kVA) | 15 days | 5 days | £452 | £4,000 | 5 Weeks |
| Multiple small business connections (based on typical 2 connections with low voltage service works only) | 25 days | 8 days | £3,812 | £12,000 | 6 Weeks |
| Typical large business connection (HV) | 35 days | 8 days | £14,212 | £65,000 | 14 Weeks |
| Extra high voltage connection | 65 days | 50 days | Price on request | Price on request | 2 Years |
| Unmetered new connections (excluding Local Authority & PFI) | 25 days | 7 days | £298 | £2,417 | 5 Weeks |
These costs and timings are from SSEN and are for general illustration purposes only and are not to be relied upon should you require a more accurate price in respect of specific premises.
Companies
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is a trading name of:
- Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Limited Registered in Scotland No. SC213459;
- Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Registered in Scotland No. SC213461;
- Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc Registered in Scotland No. SC213460;
Registered office:
Inveralmond House
200 Dunkeld Road
Perth
PH1 3AQ
- Southern Electric Power Distribution plc Registered in England & Wales No. 04094290
Registered Office
No.1 Forbury Place,
43 Forbury Road,
Reading,
RG1 3JH
All companies are part of the SSE Group.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Distribution Map
Overview
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks are a part of the FTSE-50 energy company, SSE. The company maintains transmission networks that carry electricity to 3.7 million homes and businesses in the Central Belt of Scotland and in Central Southern England.
Some important figures about Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks:
- more than 4,000 employees
- 85 depots and offices
- 130,000km of overhead power lines and underground cables
- 106,000 substations
- more than 100 subsea cables
- over 2.9 million customers in England
- over 740,000 customers in Scotland
- customer service handling around 1,500 calls a day
- £1 million to local community projects last year
- more than 450,000 vulnerable customers on the Priority Services list
Southern Electricity Network’s priority is to provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity to customers.
The SSE Group
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is a trading name of Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Limited. Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Limited and its subsidiaries Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc, Southern Electric Power Distribution plc and Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc. All these companies are members of the SSE Group.
SSE is one of the biggest electricity network companies in the UK and an important generator of renewable electricity. SEE supports the transition to zero-carbon and it employs around 12,000 people across the UK and Ireland.
Where does the company operate?
Scottish and Southern Electricity Network owns two electricity networks and one transmission network.
| network | location | features |
| Southern Electric Power Distribution ltd | central southern England | The largest of the company’s two distribution networks. Delivers electricity supplies to over 2.9 million customers. Serves both rural areas and cities. |
| Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution ltd | north of Scotland | Delivers electricity to 740,000 customers. Serves big Scottish cities, but also islands. |
| Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission ltd | north of Scotland | Owns and maintains the 132kV and 275kV electricity transmission network. Has circuits situated over 750 meters above sea level and up to 250km long. Contains renewable energy resource. |
Services
In addition to maintaining electricity transmission networks that deliver electricity to customers’ houses, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks does a range of other things that include:
- connecting small domestic dwellings, charging points for electric vehicles, housing estates, small businesses, large commercial developments etc
- connecting energy storage and generation
- developing heat maps and technical library
- advising customers on how to obtain land consents
In addition to that, the company handles power cuts and energy emergencies. The company’s customers can check its live Power Track map that features all the power cuts in the area served by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. The map lists both planned and unplanned outages. The company also prepared a list of tips to help customers prepare for a power cut:
- Get a battery-powered radio so you can listen to updates about the cut.
- Keep a torch and several replacement batteries somewhere easy to find even if it’s dark during a power cut.
- Don’t leave candles unattended.
- Turn off all the appliances.
- Leave one light on so you notice when the power is back on.
- Don’t open the fridge and freezer door unless necessary.
- Do not refreeze food that defrosted during the cut.
- Check with the neighbours if they are also affected by the cut and if they need any help.
Financial information
In 2020, SSE’s annual revenue was £6,800.6 million, its operating income £1,212.2 million, and its net income £12.5 million. A year before, the company’s revenue was £7,301.5 million so a slight drop in how well the company performed financially could be observed.
Is Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks green?
The company developed a Sustainability Strategy that serves to help it meet its sustainability goals. The 6 focus areas of the strategy are:
| focus area | goal |
| Tackling climate change | Better managing resources and working on climate resilience. |
| Connecting for society | Promoting affordability by using whole system solutions. |
| Supporting communities | Meeting the needs of vulnerable customers and investing in local communities. |
| Growing careers | Offering attractive employment opportunities and training. |
| Optimising resources | Reducing waste. |
| Promoting the natural environment | Having a positive impact on the environment and promoting biodiversity. |
In addition to the Sustainability Strategy, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks developed a Low Carbon Transition Plan. The company assesses the impact it has on the environment and aims to reinforce and change electricity transmission to promote sustainable solutions. Moreover, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks contributes to the decarbonisation of the electricity system in Scotland.
Board of Directors
Chris Burchell – Managing Director of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
Chris was appointed the new Managing Director in September 2020 and he joined the SSE Group Executive Committee in January 2020. Before that, he spent 6 years working as the Managing Director of Arriva. He has extensive leadership experience and a passion for delivering projects driven by innovation.
Rob McDonald – Managing Director of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission
Rob was appointed Managing Director of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission in April 2019. He joined Southern Electric in 1997 and since then he has held several managerial positions within the company.
Allistair Phillips-Davies – CEO of SSE
Allistair Phillips-Davies
Allistair joined SSE in 1997. Since then, he has held several senior positions within the Company. He first served as Director of Corporate Finance and Business Development, then he joined the Board as Energy Supply Director in 2002. In 2013, he was appointed the CEO.
Gregor Alexander – Finance Director
Gregor joined SSE over three decades ago, in 1990. He is a Chartered Accountant and he has held various finance roles within SSE. During his career, he has finalised multiple major transactions and investments that were crucial to the company’s financial strategy and growth.
Martin Pibworth – Energy Director
Martin joined SSE in 1998 and he became a member of SSE’s Board in 2012. He is responsible for electricity generation, gas production, gas storage and similar services tailored for industrial and commercial customers.
Sally Fairbairn – Company Secretary and Director of Investor Relations
Sally joined SSE in 1997 to work in the Corporate Finance team. She was responsible for the long term financial modelling of the SSE Group, which gave her a good understanding of the company’s financial needs and goals. She became the Director of Investor Relations and Analysis in 2007and was then appointed to the joint role of Company Secretary and Director of Investor Relations in 2014.
Jim Smith – Managing Director of SSE Renewables
Jim has been the Managing Director of SSE Renewables since November 2018, but he joined SSE in 1988. He was previously responsible for SSE’s generation and gas storage. He also previously held the role of the Managing Director of Renewable Development, responsible for the development and delivery of onshore and offshore wind power projects.
Contact information
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ website.
SSE’s website.
If you’re experiencing a power cut, call 105. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Additionally, emergency phone numbers that will allow you to reach the company are:
- 0800 072 7283 for England
- 0800 300 999 for Scotland
If you need extra help and want to register for the company’s priority services, call 0800 294 3259 or contact 0800 316 5457 from a textphone.
If you want to install a new connection, call 0800 048 3516 or email connections@ssen.co.uk.
If you’ve got a complaint, call 0800 980 1395 or email customercomplaints@ssen.co.uk
You can also find Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.
The company has head offices in Perth, Scotland and Reading, England.
Summary
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is involved in electricity transmission and electricity distribution. The company owns and manages two distribution networks, one in Central Southern England and one in the North of Scotland, and one transmission network in the North of Scotland. The company’s main task is to maintain power lines and cables that distribute electricity to customers. Thanks to 130,000km of overhead power lines and underground cables, as well as over 100 subsea cables, the company can serve clients in remote locations like small villages in the Scottish Highlands, or islands. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks serves almost 4 million homes and businesses and employs 4000 people. Safety is the company’s main priority and it strives to provide a reliable supply of electricity to people in the regions it serves. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is also committed to protecting the environment and it wants its services to be sustainable and innovative.