SSEN Transmission has confirmed plans to create hundreds of new roles across Aberdeenshire and Inverness as part of a wider programme to upgrade the north of Scotland’s electricity transmission network. The move sits within a planned £29 billion investment in new and upgraded grid infrastructure in the region, with £8.4bn earmarked for Aberdeenshire and Inverness and the remainder across the wider Highlands Council area.
By 2030, the company expects to add a further 150 employees in the area, building on the 183 jobs created last year as its project pipeline accelerates towards net zero targets. Forecasts suggest SSEN Transmission will employ 539 people at its Inverness office alone by the end of the decade, up from 349 today, underlining the scale of the expansion.
Alongside permanent roles, SSEN Transmission is committing to a series of early-career opportunities designed to bring new talent into the energy sector. This year’s plans include 12 graduate positions, eight summer placements, an apprenticeship and a trainee engineer role, opening up entry points for people at different stages of their careers.
The commitments build on a wider pledge to deliver 600 “earn as you learn” roles between now and 2030, ensuring at least 5% of the workforce is in training or development posts at any given time. These roles will be spread across the company’s network area in the north of Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, underpinning the region’s growing reputation as a hub for renewable energy skills.
The £21.3 billion of spending outlined for Aberdeenshire and the Highlands forms a significant portion of the £29bn transmission investment planned for the north of Scotland, positioning electricity infrastructure as a major driver of regional growth. Previous economic analysis of SSEN Transmission’s wider programme has suggested that investments of this scale could support tens of thousands of jobs across Scotland and add billions in gross value to the national economy.
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Local benefits are expected to include increased demand for contractors, suppliers and professional services, as well as knock‑on opportunities in sectors such as housing and hospitality. SSEN Transmission has already published specific commitments in parts of Aberdeenshire, including pledges around legacy homes and community benefit funding linked to major grid projects.
The transmission upgrades will be integral to connecting new sources of clean power in the north of Scotland to homes and businesses, while reinforcing security of supply for local communities. By investing in substations, overhead line removals and strategic hubs, the company aims to reduce the cumulative impact of infrastructure along the east coast and create a more resilient network.
SSEN Transmission has also highlighted community benefit funds and longer‑term housing commitments as part of its infrastructure rollout, signalling an effort to leave a lasting legacy beyond the construction phase. As projects move forward, the firm’s recruitment drive and training pathways are expected to play a key role in ensuring local people can access the new green jobs being created in Aberdeenshire, Inverness and across the wider Highlands.
