St Fergus Gas Terminal - Section 37 Application
The two 30MVA 132/11kV grid transformers at St Fergus Gas Station substation form an important part of the SHE-Transmission system. The existing Transformers were manufactured in 1975, now 43 years old. Design life of the transformers is 40 years; hence these units are past their intended design life expectancy.
In addition to age related concerns, the extreme coastal environment seen at St Fergus has also had an effect on the plant’s deterioration. A condition-based assessment has been carried out, which found the transformers to be in poor external condition with corrosion present.
Due to changes in specifications, it is not possible to install the replacement transformers in the same location as those currently in use, this is mainly due to the transformers now having to be housed inside a building given their location within 2Km of the north east coast and increased fire safety requirements
A site selection report was subsequently commissioned to identify the most suitable option based on operational, technical, economic and environmental assessments. Based on the information detailed in the report, we propose to locate the new 132/11kV St Fergus Gas substation to the west of St Fergus Gas Station and the adjacent A90.
In October 2019 a full town and country planning application was submitted to Aberdeeenshire Council, which was subsequently granted planning approval in March 2020. We have also submitted an application to Scottish Ministers for consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 relating to the over head line elements of our proposal. We have been working closely with the Energy Consents Unit to ensure that, during the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the UK and Scottish Governments, the application can be processed formally and in accordance with all relevant Regulations. Please see below should you wish to view the documents contained within our Section 37 application in full.
The full details of our application can be viewed below.