Critical Skye electricity transmission upgrade granted planning consent
Image: Electricity transmission infrastructure maintenance.
SSEN Transmission has welcomed the decision by the Scottish Government to approve its Section 37 consent application for the replacement of the existing overhead line between Fort Augustus and Skye, the ‘Skye Reinforcement’, which will boost energy security and enable more renewables to connect to the grid.
The existing, single circuit overhead line is fast reaching the end of its operational life, with its replacement critical to maintaining network reliability and security of supply for homes and businesses in Skye and along the line’s route, and in the Western Isles, which is currently supplied by two subsea electricity distribution cables from north Skye.
The existing overhead line is operating at its capacity limit, preventing the connection of new renewable electricity in the area. Its replacement will have a greater capacity - enabling the connection of new renewable electricity generation - and will also further strengthen network reliability and security of supply.
The Skye Reinforcement Project is part of SSEN Transmission’s £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland.
The Section 37 Planning Consent submission was submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit in September 2022.
In February, SSEN Transmission welcomed the Scottish Government’s Priority Applications for Transmission Infrastructure guidance, which sets a 52-week determination period for new Section 37 applications for strategic electricity transmission network projects.
This one-year limit, if successfully implemented, should avoid delays to future strategic electricity transmission projects. Accelerating delivery of new transmission infrastructure is an essential enabler of the UK’s mission to achieve energy security, and clean power for 2030 and beyond.
Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said: “We welcome this positive decision. The Skye Reinforcement project is crucial to maintaining local network reliability and will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its energy security and clean power ambitions.
“This project and our wider investment programme will also be a major driver of jobs and economic growth locally and across the north of Scotland, bringing substantial opportunities for communities and businesses.
“We trust that the Scottish Government’s new guidance, setting out a 52-week determination period, will see future projects progress in line with the acceleration needed to achieve the country’s clean power mission.
"As we now move to the delivery phase of the project, we are committed to working constructively with local communities and businesses to minimise and mitigate construction impacts, alongside maximising the economic, infrastructure and job opportunities this investment will bring."
About the project
To meet the required increased capacity of the replacement line, steel structures will be required from Fort Augustus to Edinbane, extending the existing steel structures where they currently terminate at Broadford; with wooden poles remaining from Edinbane to Ardmore.
Around 15km of the circuit will be undergrounded as it passes the Cuillin Hills and another 9km where it connects to Fort Augustus substation.
As the replacement overhead line passes the Kylerhea community in Skye, two potential route alignments were included within the consent application. The consent decision confirms SSEN Transmission’s preferred route will be taken forward, which closely follows the existing overhead line.
Extensive studies took place to identify the optimal alignment, particularly in relation to key environmental designations along its route, while also looking to minimise the impact to the local community as much as possible.
Substations at Broadford and Edinbane in Skye will also be replaced, which have already been consented by The Highland Council.
To find out more about the project visit our website.