Beauly - Peterhead 400kV OHL

Under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, the application is seeking consent for the installation, operation and maintenance of a new 400kV OHL connection, spanning an approximate length of 186km between Beauly and Peterhead, via New Deer.

Viewing the application: 

If you wish to view the Section 37 application, you can do so on the Energy Consents Unit’s website: www.energyconsents.scot. 

The application reference is: ECU00005165 

All the documentation submitted as part of the application can also be viewed and downloaded via documents.

A hard copy of the application including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and supporting documents will be available to be viewed at:

Highland Council Area

• Kiltarlity Post Office
• Inverness Library
• Nairn Library

Moray Council Area

• Forres House Community Centre
• Elgin Library
• Keith Library – Non-Technical Summary only

Aberdeenshire Council Area

• Linden Centre, Huntly
• Turriff Library
• Mintlaw Library
• Buchan House, Peterhead

To assist with further information, we have also produced some Frequently Asked Questions regarding our overhead line Section 37 consent application. 

In accordance with the Priority Applications for Transmission Infrastructure guidance: Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, SSEN Transmission has held the Procedural Gatecheck meeting with the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) and is issuing this notice to provide advance notice to the statutory consultees, relevant Planning Authorities, affected landowners and local stakeholders of the date the s37 application is to be made.

We intend to submit the s37 application for the proposed Beauly to Blackhillock to New Deer to Peterhead 400 kV OHL Project by 03 October 2025.

Next Steps:

Following s37 submission, the ECU will undertake a validation process to confirm the application is complete. This may take approximately one to two weeks. Upon confirmation the application is complete, SSEN Transmission will issue statutory public notices in National and Local Press in accordance with The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. In addition, we shall notify our stakeholders and issue a wider general press release.

Alongside the statutory notifications, the s37 application will be available on the ECU Website Scottish Government - Energy Consents Unit, SSEN Transmission Project Website (Beauly - Peterhead 400kV OHL - SSEN Transmission) and printed copies will be provided for members of the public to view at various locations along the length of the proposed OHL. Details of the viewing locations will be provided in the public notices, within the s37 application, provided to stakeholders on our mailing list and available on our website.

SSEN Transmission will issue further communications, after validation, providing information on how representations can be made to Scottish Ministers.

Further information on the s37 submission process can be found here: 2. Background - Priority Applications for Transmission Infrastructure guidance: Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 - gov.scot

Thank you for taking the time to read this notice.

We would like to thank everyone who engaged with us during our most recent public consultation events in Keith and Cairnie. These events were to present the design changes to the overhead line (OHL) in the Keith area following the removal of the proposed Coachford Substation from the with the Beauly-Peterhead 400kV OHL project scope. 

The consultation feedback period is now closed.

We aim to submit our consent application for the Proposed Development to the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government in Autumn 2025. The application will be submitted in line with the requirements of Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.  

Further documents relating to our most recent and previous engagement events can be found in the documents tab of this project page. 

This video provides a 3D visualization of the proposed changes to the alignment in this specific area which were presented at the most recent engagement events. 

View the 3D visualisation video

This video provides a 3D visualization of the proposed changes to the alignment in this specific area.

View the 3D visualization video

Following detailed ground investigation works which revealed technical challenges at the site, we will no longer be proceeding with the construction of the proposed substation at Coachford as part of the Beauly to Peterhead 400kV overhead line project. The results of our ground investigation work created an opportunity to reassess how, when and where the objectives of Coachford could be delivered, taking future development opportunities in the area into consideration.  
 
Coachford was identified as one of four substations proposed along the line’s route, to support the transmission of renewable electricity as part of the project. Following the decision to remove the substation from the Beauly to Peterhead project, we will now start exploring alternative options to deliver the initial needs of Coachford - informed by community feedback and development insights gathered so far – at a new site.    

What does this mean for the Beauly to Peterhead 400kV?   

The Beauly to Peterhead 400kV overhead line project will now comprise three new substations rather than four, alongside the overhead line infrastructure, and still fully deliver the power transmission and grid connectivity requirements identified under our Pathway to 2030 projects. This change will not impact the overall functionality or capacity of the project, which is scheduled for completion by 2030.  

You can read more information in our press release here. 

We will shortly begin engaging with our stakeholders to explain these changes. The project team will be reaching out to local communities, landowners, and developers in the area to provide detailed updates regarding the revised scope of the project and what it means for them. This will include localised public engagement events relating to the changes in this section in Keith and Cairnie, the details of which will be shared soon. 

SSEN Transmission has today published its final Report on Consultation for a proposed new 400kV overhead line running from Beauly via Blackhillock and New Deer then on to Peterhead. The project would comprise four new substations along its route, and new HVDC converter stations at either end. 

The Report on Consultation (ROC) provides a summary of the feedback received in response to proposals for the overhead line, how this has been considered, and confirmation of the final proposed overhead line route alignment (Proposed Development) intended to be taken forward for planning consent.  A copy of both the ROC and the Summary can be downloaded from the Documents tab, or please click the links below for direct access: 

• Report on Consultation  

• Summary Document  

Hard copies will be available during our upcoming public consultation feedback events, and copies left accessible in local village halls where permitted.  

Project Status Update – November 2024 

Following public consultation events on the potential alignment for our overhead line in Spring 2024, we received detailed feedback from a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to, local community members, landowners, local heritage groups, statutory consultees and developers.  

Once again, we would like to thank all those who took the time to attend our in-person consultation events, read through our consultation materials, participated in any follow-up meetings and provided valuable written feedback. Stakeholder input is integral to the development of these proposals and is much appreciated.  

Previous timeline  

Our intention, as communicated during the previous public consultation, was to publish our Report on Consultation earlier this year, carry out further Public Consultation on the final alignment in Autumn 2024 and then submit our Section 37 Planning Application in Winter 2024.  

Updated timeline 

The feedback provided, has led us to carry out further investigation in some areas and consider some changes to our proposals. These further investigations are now being concluded, and we intend to publish our Report on Consultation (ROC) in January 2025. 

Following publication of the ROC, we plan to carry out further public engagement events early next year. During these engagements, we will report back on feedback received during our last consultation and confirm final design proposals for the overhead line. Following these engagement events, we aim to submit our Section 37 Planning Application in Spring 2025. 

More information regarding these events will be shared once dates and locations have been confirmed.  

This week SSEN Transmission hosted a webinar to outline the differences behind technology options which will help transform the electricity grid in the north of Scotland in the journey to net zero. 

The webinar, titled ‘Overground, underground, or subsea - how decisions are made on where electricity transmission lines go’, explore topics such as the comparison between the different transmission technologies and the complexities and challenges that come with transporting the huge amount of renewable energy being generated across the country to where it is needed.

Watch the full webinar within News and Views. Video length is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. 

Ground Investigation Works Overview:

Other surveys

Timeline/Programme

• The programme of works will commence in late July and continue until late 2025
• Ground Investigation works will be conducted continuously by multiple subcontractors across the route. 
• Landowners have been contacted and access arrangements have been agreed for this work to progress.
• The schedule and sequencing of ground investigation work may change through findings and seasonal restrictions throughout the 12-18 month period.  
• It is anticipated that there will be three working teams on site at any one time, each responsible for conducting their ground investigation works at a single tower.
• It is anticipated that the ground investigation work at each individual tower will take approximately 3 days (this may vary depending on findings during the ground investigation works).

Methodology

• Multiple sub-contractors will be carrying out the Ground Investigation works.
• The Ground Investigation machinery will be towed into position by a truck or pick-up before being assembled.
• Occasionally, if access to an area is very difficult, machinery will be transported in parts and assembled on site.
• Appropriate traffic management measures will be put in place (if deemed necessary) and agreed with the relevant authorities prior to doing so.
• A variety of tools will be raised and lowered, either by a cable and winch or a series of steel rods, to drill holes and dig pits to take samples or carry out tests.
• Short bursts of noise may occur as tests are performed or samples are taken using a hammering action.
• Machinery will typically be in place for a few days, depending on the depth of the sampling and the thickness of the ground. This method is used in both rural and urban locations.
• The work at each proposed tower location requires a minimum of two people, working in an area of around 40 square metres (m2).
• On completion, the ground will be reinstated as agreed with the landowner and/or relevant authorities.
• Boreholes may have instrumentation installed – for example, to monitor water levels.
• Where an installation remains in place, the only thing visible is a small cover, level with the ground, or a small steel barrel to provide protection.

 What the works involve:

Ground Investigation work may be adapted dependent on findings and agreements with Landowners but will typically comprise of:

• Hand excavated inspection pits to a depth of 1.20m in advance of all boreholes.
• A single borehole at the centre of the proposed tower location (with some towers having 2 boreholes at diagonally opposite legs dependent on type of tower and/or known constrains in the area)
• Machine excavated trial pits at the diagonally opposite legs of proposed tower locations (with some towers having a trial pit at the centre of proposed tower location dependent on type of tower and/or known constrains)
• Trial pits at approximately 300-450m along new or upgraded access routes
• Ground Strength tests at each tower structure and along proposed or temporary access routes
• Installation of monitoring wells and ground gas and ground water monitoring.
• Laboratory testing, geotechnical and environmental analysis and reporting.

Our contractors will work to keep local disturbance to a minimum throughout the duration of these works. For any enquiries, please contact BBNP@sse.com

We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the one of the 16 public events across the project route between 20 May - 20 June 2024.

During the consultation we shared our potential alignment for the overhead line, with alternative alignment options in some locations, presented through maps and visualisations.

The consultation period for this project has now closed and feedback is being reviewed by the project team. A Report on Consultation will be published in due course outlining the feedback received and the next steps.

If you were unable to attend the public event you can download the project materials that were on display here.

March 2024 Public Engagement Event

We will be hosting a series of public events across the project route, begining on Monday 26 February and running until Thursay 28 March 2024. 

The events will be hosted by the project team and will be an opportunity to see our progress to date, speak with the project team and tell us your thoughts.

Since our last consultation in Spring 2023, we have narrowed down our proposals and there have been some changes to what we called our ‘preferred’ routes that we want to seek your views on.

We invite all interested parties to attend our drop-in exhibitions to discuss our plans with the project team and share your views.

The recording of the event and slide packs are available below for those who were unable to attend.

• Recording of the event
• Slide pack

Our Reports on Consultation across our three new overhead line projects and associated substation and convertor station developments have now been published. These reports provide a summary of the extensive feedback received during consultation, how this has been considered and confirmation of which routes and substations are now being taken forward to the next stage of development. 

Our Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab. 

Summary Reports on Consultation are also available for each of the three schemes and can be downloaded below:  

• Summary Report on Consultation Beauly to Peterhead  
• Summary Report on Consultation Spittal to Beauly
• Summary Report on Consultation Kintore to Tealing

A stakeholder webinar available for all to join will be held in the coming weeks to share the changes informed by the feedback. More information about the forthcoming webinar will be shared on our events page shortly.   

In further recognition of community feedback, we will seek to rationalise cumulative infrastructure impacts through the removal and undergrounding of existing transmission lines, where technically practical and appropriate, and subject to all necessary planning consents and landowner agreements. 

Work to identify and assess potential sections of existing overhead line where their removal will reduce cumulative impacts is ongoing, with an update expected as part of the next round of public consultation on overhead line alignments and more detailed substation designs in early 2024.  

We would once again like to thank all stakeholders who took the time to engage with our early consultation process. We will continue to engage with stakeholders ahead of consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine our proposals.

Over the course of this year, we have undertaken extensive consultation on plans to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland and have received a considerable amount of feedback from a wide range of stakeholders regarding our proposals. 

We recently advised in our next steps for 2030 network developments update that following assessment of consultation feedback and additional options analysis, we would publish our Report on Consultations (RoCs). These reports provide a summary of the feedback received and how it has been considered, which options we will take forward to the next stage of the development process and any changes to options initially consulted on.  

It is our intention to publish the RoCs for this project in the coming months. All stakeholders signed up for updates on the project will receive a link to the report and we will also issue Summary Reports to help ensure accessibility. 

These Report on Consultations mark the completion of the first round of non-statutory consultation, where we sought feedback on the corridor, route, and substation locations. We will be consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine the projects, therefore we welcome an open channel of communication and would like to reassure all stakeholders that there will be further opportunities to engage on this project.

Our Reports on Consultation and Summary Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab.

We have announced our next steps for our Pathway to 2030 programme of projects. We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with our teams and kindly taken the time to respond to our consultations.
Full details of the announcement can be found here:
Next steps for Pathway to 2030

Public consultation feedback period has now closed

Following our public consultation events in April 2023, the consultation feedback period has now closed. The project team will now collate and analyse the feedback before publishing our Report on Consultation.

Although the feedback period for this stage of the project has closed, we still welcome feedback and questions on an ongoing basis. Any feedback that come in outwith the feedback periods is logged and reviewed by the project team.

We will also publish an FAQ document which will provide information and answers to commonly asked questions.

Those that were unable to attend our face-to-face events can view our virtual consultation room below.

Should you have any questions regarding the consultation, or if you were unable to attend the public events and wish to be provided with more information, please contact the project email: BBNP@sse.com

Consultation materials including PDF maps and the Consultation Booklet are in the Project Documents section of this webpage.

Access the Virtual Exhibition

Due to the extend of interest in our 2030 network development plans across the north of Scotland that are required to meet UK and Scottish Government climate change and energy security targets, we have extended the consultation period for our Beauly-Blackhillock-New Deer-Peterhead project by another week, until Friday 30th June.  This follows similar extensions on our Spittal-Loch Buidhe-Beauly 400kV and Kintore-Fiddes-Tealing 400kV projects.

We would encourage anyone with an interest in the Beauly-Blackhillock-New Deer-Peterhead 400kV project to provide their feedback, which will be carefully considered as we continue to develop this project that will be key to help deliver Government net zero and energy independence targets.

We have recently started localised surveys, assessments and ground investigation works at various locations across the Pathway to 2030 projects which will be used to help gather information to inform the next stage of development for a major electricity transmission network upgrade in the north of Scotland.

Over the coming weeks and months, our project teams and contractors will undertake a series of site-specific assessments which include the likes of ground investigations, bird surveys, LiDAR flights, and ecological and archaeological walkovers and assessments.

Ground investigation works have either recently commenced or are set to begin throughout the Summer for the new 400kV substation and converter stations proposed as part of our Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV connection, Western Isles connection, Beauly – Blackhillock – New Deer – Peterhead 400kV connection and East Coast 400kV phase 2 projects. Project teams and contractors will undertake a series of site-specific assessments which will help provide vital information and key data for the next phase of project development.

Some of the geo-technical ground investigations may involve drilling boreholes or digging trial pits, which will allow engineers to understand the geographical make-up and suitability of the ground in certain locations to help inform potential design options. 

Site assessments and survey works are a key part of the project development process, and the results of these investigations will provide project teams with valuable information to help inform decisions regarding substation site selections and overhead line routes, which will be subject to further consultation later this year.

Initial surveys will prioritise sites and routes which performed the best based on our initial assessment of key environmental and people, technical, and economic factors, and there have been no decisions taken on locations as yet.

There may be more activity on the ground over the summer, and whilst most assessments are expected to cause very little local disruption, we would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst they are carried out. Where more evasive assessments are required such as ground investigation works, we will work to keep local disruption and environmental impacts to a minimum. Please contact your local Community Liaison Manager if you have any questions.