Planning consent granted for Cambushinnie substation
Image: A computer generated image of the proposed 400kV substation in Cambushinnie
Planning consent has been granted for the Cambushinnie 400kV substation in Perthshire – a key element of SSEN Transmission’s proposed Beauly to Denny overhead line (OHL) upgrade.
Today’s decision by Perth and Kinross Council follows more than two years of development and extensive community and stakeholder engagement. Connecting to the existing OHL, the project will involve construction of a new outdoor 400kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation, located immediately west of the existing Braco West 275kV substation. The substation is a key element of the proposed Beauly to Denny OHL upgrade from 275kV to 400kV operation, intended to help deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK – helping meet Scotland and the UK’s clean power and energy security ambitions.
It forms part of our £22bn+ investment to transform the electricity network in the north of Scotland, enabling the homegrown low-carbon electricity needed to meet clean power and energy security targets. The need for the project has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator Ofgem.
Community feedback has been central to shaping the project, which will include measures for peatland restoration and biodiversity net gain, alongside measures such as landscaping and planting.
A separate planning application has been submitted for a haul track from the A822 and intersecting the B8033, enabling the delivery of the 400kV transformers required for the substation and which will be used by all construction traffic, thereby minimising impacts on Braco village.
No work on the substation will take place until the proposed haul track is completed.
The project will deliver substantial local benefits, including jobs and supply chain opportunities, along with over £500,000 in community benefit funding.
With consent now granted, construction of the Cambushinnie 400kV substation is expected to begin later next year, following completion of the proposed haul track.
Alison Hall, Director of Development for SSEN Transmission, said:
“We’re pleased with today’s decision, which represents another step towards delivering Scotland and the UK’s clean energy and energy security ambitions.Investing in the electricity transmission network is also a key driver of jobs and economic growth, and the Cambushinnie 400kV substation is among several clean energy projects creating new roles within SSEN Transmission and across our supply chain, while generating substantial community benefit funding and other legacy opportunities. As a key element of our proposals to upgrade the Beauly to Denny overhead line from 275kV to 400kV operation, the Cambushinnie 400kV substation will play an important role in helping build a cleaner, more secure, and affordable electricity system for generations to come.”
Rebecca Simister, Senior Development Project Manager for SSEN Transmission, said:
“Today’s decision is the culmination of a detailed development process where we have sought to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective, while listening closely to the views of the local community. We would like to thank all those who contributed to our consultation events, which were key in helping shape proposals for the substation. We’re also grateful for the feedback we’ve had over our haul track plans, which are subject to a separate planning application. We will continue to engage constructively with the local community throughout the lifetime of this project, as we fulfil our commitment to being a good neighbour and delivering a positive legacy.”
Unlocking Local Benefits, Supporting Jobs and Driving Economic Growth
The Cambushinnie 400kV substation is a key part of our plans to invest at least £22bn in the period until March 2031, potentially rising to £31.7bn. This represents one of the largest private investment programmes in Scotland and will act as a major driver of jobs and economic growth across the country. Independent economic analysis, peer-reviewed by leading consultancy BiGGAR Economics, forecasts that if fully delivered, the £31.7bn investment could support up to 17,500 jobs in Scotland, including 8,400 in the north of Scotland, and add up to £7bn to the Scottish economy, with £3bn in the north of Scotland alone. As a recent example of benefits to the Perthshire economy, Danish power cable producer NKT is strengthening its long-term commitment to Scotland’s energy infrastructure with the expansion of its office presence in Perth, supporting the delivery of our major electricity transmission projects.
Reflecting the significant expansion of the transmission network across the north of Scotland, we continue to grow our workforce. Employee numbers have increased from around 400 in 2019 to over 2,500 today, with plans to recruit around 600 new roles in 2025/26. At our Perth headquarters, employee numbers have grown from 485 in 2023 to over 700 today.
Following the UK Government’s Community Benefit Guidance for new electricity transmission infrastructure, over £100m of community benefit funding is expected across the north of Scotland. Local groups across Perth and Kinross are now benefiting from over £129,000 in awards through our East Coast Local Community Benefit Fund, helping us deliver projects that improve health, wellbeing and community engagement.