Lewis public invited to have their say on Balallan Switching Station and Muaitheabhal (Uisenis) Wind Farm connection

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  • Consultation events taking place on August 27 and 28 for proposed Balallan Switching Station and Muaitheabhal (Uisenis) Wind Farm Connection

  • SSEN Transmission submits Proposal of Application (PAN) notice outlining temporary development boundary for site

SSEN Transmission is inviting views on its plans for a new electricity switching station in Lewis, that will enable the connection of new renewable energy to the wider transmission network and support local network reliability.

The company is holding two public consultation events in August to share information on the proposed Balallan 132kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Switching Station and associated overhead line connection to the Muaitheabhal (Uisenis) Wind Farm.

The events will take place on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 27 August, 3-7pm – The Kinloch Historical Society Community Hub, Balallan, HS2 9PN
  • Thursday 28 August, 3-7pm – The Resource Centre, Kershader, HS2 9QA

Located off the A859 near Loch Stranndabhat, the proposed switching station would provide a connection to Muaitheabhal Wind Farm via a combination of underground cable and new single circuit 132kV steel trident pole overhead line. It would also include a connection to the existing Harris – Stornoway 132kV overhead line, which would itself connect to the proposed Lewis Hub 132kV substation.

A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) has been submitted to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar highlighting the temporary development area for the switching station including temporary site compounds, laydown and storage areas for materials, and landscaping to minimise the visual impact of the site.

This PAN does not represent the permanent footprint of the switching station, which would sit within a platform measuring approximately 107m x 74m, with the building itself around half this size. A permanent access road will be built to the site from the A859.

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The temporary development boundary (in red) for Balallan Switching Station, with the proposed switching station and access tracks in grey.

Lyle Cairns, Project Manager from SSEN Transmission, said: “The proposed Balallan Switching Station will enable the connection of Muaitheabhal (Uisenis) Wind Farm and help manage the flow of power between different circuits, allowing new renewable energy to be safely and efficiently delivered to the GB transmission grid.

“It will also enhance local security of supply through connections to the proposed Lewis Hub and Stornoway Grid Supply Point, which will support the local electricity distribution network.

“In developing our proposals we have sought to balance initial community and stakeholder feedback with technical and environmental considerations, minimising our impact on the environment as far as reasonably possible while delivering infrastructure that will help unlock the abundant renewable energy resources of the Western Isles.

“We are looking forward to presenting our plans at our upcoming consultation events on the 27th and 28th of August and would encourage anyone who is interested to come along and speak to our project team who will be happy to share further information on our proposals.”