Current status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 13 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on household and business electricity bills in Scotland of transmission network charges forecast by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to rise from £2.8 billion in 2020-21 to £13.6 billion in 2030-31, and of Ofgem's early funding decisions indicating substantial cost increases for transmission projects in Scotland, including the Denny to Wishaw and Tealing to Kincardine projects.
The current transmission charging regime is a significant barrier to investment in Scotland’s renewable energy industry, with key projects such as the West of Orkney Wind Farm having stalled due to the impact of high and volatile charges.
It is clear that the current system is not fit for purpose, and unfairly penalises Scottish generators, resulting in higher bills for businesses and consumers. The UK Government and Ofgem must urgently deliver long-term reform ,along side short and medium term measures to address the impact of unfair charges now.
Reforms must also recognise the critical role of Scotland’s renewable energy resources in delivering Clean Power 2030 and net zero ambition, ensuring that transmission charging supports, rather than hinders, the investment needed to deliver the energy transition.