Overview of East Coast Projects
The east coast of Scotland is critical to enabling the delivery of the UK and Scottish Governments renewable energy targets, connecting a number of onshore and offshore renewable power and improving infrastructure to transport that power south through overhead lines and a subsea cable. To be able to achieve the government’s targets this work will need to be completed by 2030, in line with our pathway to 2030 plans.
We have committed to deliver a new overhead line, reinforcement of the existing lines, new substations and subsea cable links.
East Coast 400kV Phase 2 Projects
The East Coast 400kV Phase 2 scheme consists of several onshore reinforcement projects on the east coast. These include the development of new infrastructure and upgrading existing infrastructure to 400kV capability in order to transfer more power in both ours and Scottish Power Transmission’s area, with most of the works within our area.
There are several projects that contribute to the full scheme:
Kintore - Fiddes - Tealing 400kV OHL Connection
30-35km of new 400kV overhead line between the existing Kintore site to a new 400kV capable substation within the vicinity of the existing Fiddes substation. An extension to the 400kV substation at Kintore which is currently under construction. 60-70km of new 400kV overhead line between the new proposed Tealing and Kintore substations.
Fiddes 400kV Substation
A new 400kV capable substation within the vicinity of the existing Fiddes substation.
Tealing 400kV Substation
A new proposed 400kV capable substation within the vicinity of the existing Tealing substation.
Alyth – Tealing Overhead line Reconductor
Upgrade to 400kV capability by reconductoring of the existing Alyth – Tealing 275kV overhead line. When the Alyth – Tealing and Tealing – Westfield/ Glenrothes lines are upgraded to 400kV they will be connected into the new Tealing 400kV site.
Tealing – Westfield Overhead line Reconductor
Upgrade to 400kV capability by reconductoring of the existing Tealing – Westfield/Glenrothes 275kV overhead line down to the Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) border. SPT will continue the works on their section of overhead line within the relevant license area. When the Alyth – Tealing and Tealing – Westfield/ Glenrothes lines are upgraded to 400kV they will be connected into the new Tealing 400kV site.
These projects are in the early stage of development, we have undertaken public consultations on progress to date covering the entire scheme in May 2023 with more public consultations planned in 2024.
Eastern HVDC Link (Eastern Green Link 2)
To support the ongoing growth of renewable generation in the area, we are required to install a 2GW subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable link from Peterhead to Drax in Yorkshire. This will help to reduce congestion on the onshore transmission network by allowing the flow of energy through the subsea cable. This project is being jointly developed with National Grid Electricity Transmission and it is currently progressing through the procurement and development stages.
Peterhead to South Humber HVDC Link (Eastern Green Link 3)
A 2GW, 525kV subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Peterhead and South Humber in England is required to enable the transmission from generators in the northeast of Scotland to demand centres in the south of England. The link will require 2 HVDC converter substations on land, one at each end of the cable. HVDC Converter Stations (a specialised type of substation) convert electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and vice versa, for transmission purposes.
New Peterhead 400kV Substation (Peterhead 2)
A second 400kV substation is required in the Peterhead area to support offshore and onshore electricity generation connections as well as onshore and offshore transmission infrastructure in the area. The substation will be similar to the first 400kV substation which is due to be commissioned in 2023.
Peterhead HVDC Switching Station
Due to the high number of subsea links, and the potential need to support future offshore customer connections, system studies have informed the need for a Direct Current Switching Station (DCSS) at Peterhead. This project aims to deliver a 525kV DCSS, which is needed to co-ordinate the connection of offshore links and windfarms and will connect into the New Peterhead 400kV substation.
New Peterhead 132kV Substation
A second 132kV substation is required in the Peterhead area to support future generation and storage connections from renewable generation developers. The substation will be similar to the existing 132kV substation.
Peterhead 275kV Substation Refurbishment
Due to their condition, there is a requirement to replace the Super Grid Transformers (SGT), SGT1 and SGT2 at Peterhead 275/132kV substation. Transformers step up or step down the voltage of electricity between different circuits within our substations. Two new buildings will be created to house the new SGTs within a new compound to the southwest of the existing substation.
This project is already approved in our Business Plan and is therefore not part of our Pathway to 2030 additional requirements. We have included information about this project as it is relevant to the Peterhead area.
Spittal to Peterhead HVDC subsea cable link
In addition to the projects listed above, a new HVDC (high voltage direct current) subsea link between Spittal and Peterhead is also necessary to support the growth of renewable energy. The HVDC link will allow surplus renewable energy to be exported south to Peterhead without the need of a second onshore 400kV overhead Line. It will do this by connecting to landfall sites in Spittal and Peterhead.