SSEN has this morning revealed it has received three quarters of the consents it needs to deliver network improvements across the North-east, with its focus for 2026 on obtaining the remaining quarter.
Posting a Q3 trading statement for the nine months to 31 December, SSE noted "strong operational performance" and provided an update on the progress of major network improvements across the north of Scotland.
It states: "Five transmission planning decisions have been secured since November. SSEN Transmission now has 25 of the 34, or three quarters of the major consents required to fulfil its licence condition to deliver the 11 major projects that reinforce the grid in the north of Scotland.
"Securing the remaining consents will be a focus for the business for the remainder of this calendar year."
The statement also noted the receipt of final consent for the Spittal-Peterhead link, SSEN Transmission's fifth major project to fully enter construction.
It said: "The project comprises a 203km 2GW subsea High Voltage Direct Current cable and two convertor stations.
"The cables for the project, and cabling for the planned Western Isles link, have been secured through the awarding of a €2billion contract, SSEN Transmission's biggest ever, to NKT."
SSEN Transmission also signed a £1billion, 12-year Bank Facility backed by an £800million financial guarantee from the UK Government's National Wealth Fund in addition to a £500million, 19-year Bank Facility guaranteed by the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN).
The Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm will now progress towards Final Investment Decision after securing a 20-year contract for 1.4GW in last month's CfD Allocation Round 7. This opens a valuable route to market for a world-class project at a competitive strike price for consumers of £89.49/MWh.
And turbine installation is nearing completion on Dogger Bank A, with the 95th and final turbine set to be installed in the next available weather window. Installation will then immediately commence on the second phase, Dogger Bank B.
Commissioning work continues on Dogger Bank A and is expected to be complete later this calendar year.
SSE is projecting adjusted earnings per share for 2025/26 of up to 152p, with regulated networks businesses delivering a 64% increase in investment compared to the first nine months of last year.
Around £1.8bn was invested in networks as construction gathers pace on the major ASTI and LOTI projects in Transmission, while Distribution continues to progress investment through its baseline plan and Uncertainty Mechanisms.
Generation output from SSE Renewables over the first nine months of 2025/26 was 7% higher than the same period in prior year, reflecting the ongoing increase in capacity from its construction programme against mixed weather conditions.
Guidance remains subject to factors such as weather, market conditions and plant availability over the remainder of the year.
An update on actual performance will be provided on 2 April.
Barry O'Regan, chief financial officer, said: "Since announcing our £33billion investment programme to unlock the enormous growth opportunity presented by the transformation of electricity networks, our focus has been on accelerating investment and delivering the plan that will create compounding, long-term earnings and value for investors.
"We are encouraged by recent steps from government and regulators - from positive signals on the upcoming transmission price control to the success of AR7 and updated ambitions for offshore wind - which highlight the value of SSE's integrated business model and will ultimately help deliver a cleaner, secure and more affordable energy system."