Report sets out £58bn plan to upgrade electricity grid

The plan aims to connect a further 21GW of offshore wind in development off the coast of Scotland to the grid in an efficient, coordinated way, giving the UK 86GW of offshore wind that puts the country at the forefront of offshore and floating offshore wind. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, 63GW of offshore wind has been installed globally.

In total, there will be over 30GW of offshore wind in Scottish waters compared to 6GW of peak electricity demand in Scotland in 2035. The plan moves that power to where it can be used, around Scotland and across Britain.

ESO said its plan enables a fully decarbonised electricity system by 2035, in line with the Sixth Carbon Budget. Research conducted by Stonehaven found the plan could create and sustain over 20,000 jobs annually, with 90 per cent of the benefits occurring outside London and the Southeast.

To work, the report stresses the need for swift and coordinated action across the energy sector, government, the regulator, and communities to deliver the network infrastructure in time to meet 2035.