Report on Consultation published for the proposed Coire Mashie substation and Loch Earba pumped hydro scheme connection

SSEN Transmission has today published its Report on Consultation (ROC) for the proposed Coire Mashie 400kV substation project and the associated Loch Earba pumped hydro scheme connection.

The proposed developments will facilitate the connection of more clean power to the GB electricity transmission grid, supporting Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power targets.

The report summarises the extensive feedback received during the initial consultation period for the proposed substation location - and explains how that feedback has been considered and used to influence the ongoing direction of the project, with site option one being taken forward to the next stage of development. As a stakeholder-led business, local views are incredibly important – and while all locations considered present environmental and technical constraints, those associated with option one were considered the most manageable through further design and mitigation.

Darrell Muldoon, Project Manager for the project, said:  
“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with us and provide feedback throughout the consultation process that has been undertaken on the project so far. Community feedback presented us with additional site options to consider, which is always useful.

“Having considered the technical, environmental and economic factors associated with each of the site options, we are proceeding with option one – the most optimal of all the locations. We’re now looking forward to engaging with the local community again in further refining the project plans and delivering this critical infrastructure in a way that mitigates against their concerns as much as possible.”

A community council and public meeting will now take place at Laggan Village Hall on Thursday 27 November from 18:00 to 19:30 to discuss the report findings, answer questions, gather further feedback and outline next steps for the project.

The Report on Consultation, Additional Site Options Appraisal and a 3D visualisation portal are available via the project website.