Major milestone reached as Beauly 132kV Reinforcement Project powers up
22 September 2026
Investment strengthens network security and enables renewable energy connection in the Highlands
We have reached a major milestone in the delivery of our Beauly 132kV Reinforcement Project, with the successful energisation of new infrastructure at the existing Beauly Substation.
The project involves replacing ageing infrastructure at Beauly Substation, some of which has been in service since the 1960s. The upgraded assets will enhance network security, strengthen the resilience and flexibility of the transmission network, and support the continued growth of renewable energy generation across the north of Scotland.
Central to this milestone is the successful transition to a new 132kV gas insulted switchgear (GIS) housed within a dedicated, newly constructed building on the site. The first section of the new facility has now been successfully energised, strengthening the network while supporting Scotland's transition to a secure, low-carbon energy future.
Three transformers dating back to 1970 have also been replaced as part of the upgrade works, with the first now connected to the new system. Each weighing over 140 tonnes, these essential components regulate power flow across the network and are key components in the substation.
With the first new 132kV equipment now fully live, project teams will continue work to integrate the remaining electrical circuits to the new system, before then moving to decommission and remove the older 132kV outdoor equipment.
Supporting the local community
Image: Project teams volunteered to help spruce up the Beauly Community Garden earlier this year
Since construction began on modernising the 132kV substation at Beauly back in 2022, we have worked alongside our contract partners Siemens and BAM to play an active role in the local area, supporting various volunteering initiatives and giving something back to the local area.
Initiatives have included sprucing up community gardens in Beauly by carrying out landscaping and tidying up work, giving the Beauly Primary School playground a mini-makeover, donating to local food banks and supporting various Christmas-giving appeals. These efforts reflect the team’s commitment to making a positive contribution to the local community as the project progressed.
Local contractors have played a major role in the project, with Beauly-based Global Infrastructure helping to deliver some of the civil works for the project alongside other local supply chain partners including McDonald Scaffolding from Invergordon, and Pointers Ltd from Inverness, helping to support local businesses and the regional economy alongside our wider network of supply chain partners.
Matthew McKessick, Project Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:
“The successful energisation of the new 132kV components at Beauly is a major achievement for everyone involved in the project and represents a significant milestone in the modernisation of this important part of our transmission network.
“This investment will provide increased operational flexibility and network resilience, while creating the capacity needed to connect more renewable energy to the grid and support Scotland's clean energy ambitions.
“Energising the new site is testament to the extensive collaboration and hard work between our project teams, our contract partners Siemens Energy and BAM Nuttall, and stakeholders, which has helped us to safely reach this important stage of the project.
“As ever, we’d like to thank the local community for their continued patience and understanding, and will keep them informed as we enter the final phases of work to complete this project.”
The Beauly 132kV Reinforcement Project forms part of our wider programme of investment to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland, enabling the connection of renewable energy projects and supporting the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system.
Work will continue at the site as the project progresses through its remaining phases, including the transfer of existing circuits and the eventual decommissioning of the ageing 132kV infrastructure.