Highland Council approves critical substation replacement projects and raises no objection to Melgarve cluster overhead line

SSEN Transmission has welcomed the decisions of Highland Council’s South Planning Committee this week to grant consent for three replacement substations at Deanie and Culligran in Glen Strathfarrar, and at Kilmorack.

The existing substations were built in the 1960s to connect the associated hydroelectric generation assets to the electricity transmission network and have long supported local and regional electricity needs.  As these substations are reaching the end of their operational life, their replacement is key to ensure a continued reliable connection to these hydroelectric substations, maintaining network reliability and supporting security of supply.

In addition, the council committee raised no objection to SSEN Transmission’s application under Section 37 of the Electricity Act for the Melgarve Cluster project. This is required to connect the Cloiche Wind Farm into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV Substation, enabling export of clean, homegrown electricity to the transmission network, supporting energy security and net zero targets.  The application will be now be determined by Scottish Ministers.

Alison Hall, Director of Project Development for SSEN Transmission, said: “We welcome these decisions, which are important for the continued resilience of local electricity supply, as well as contributing to the country’s wider ambitions for clean power and energy security.

“In progressing all of our projects, we are committed to working constructively with local communities and businesses through the development and delivery phases, including to mitigate construction impacts, alongside maximising the significant economic and employment opportunities our investment programme presents."