We are soon going to be taking delivery of the 2 new 120MVA 132/33kV transformer units which Abernethy substation is currently being extended to accommodate. We anticipate the first grid transformer (GT2) to be delivered on 28 June, with the second on 12 July. Both units will come to site under Police Scotland escort once over the border at Berwick and all the way to Abernethy. No road closures are expected however, there may be short delays where the roads are narrow, and Police Scotland need to control the traffic. Once the transformers have been delivered there will be overnight works required at the substation that consist of oil tankers being present to fill the transformers. Freedom will be present throughout, and the works will be quiet with no requirement normally for any lights to be on however, occasionally there will be people moving around and some localised lighting. GT2 will be filled between 18-19 July and GT1 between 1-3 August.

The first quarter of 2022 has seen construction works at SSEN Transmission’s Abernethy substation continue to progress well as our Principal Contractor, Freedom Group continue with extending the existing substation site and we wanted to provide a short update on the key activities that have been undertaken since the site re-opened following the festive break. Works to date have included modifications to the existing control building to allow for new protection panels which are required for the 2 new grid transformers (GT) when these arrive on site in June. All the earthworks and stone upfill for the extension to the substation platform are now complete and have seen us import approximately 10,000T of stone. Earthworks on the south side of the site are also complete and these will allow new 33kV cables to be installed from the new GT2 to the new cable bay. Foundation piling works which are an essential part of the substation civil works have been completed for both GT bunds, these have consisted of 108 piles being installed to 12-13m in depth. Both GT1 and GT2 bund bases have also been poured and construction continues for the bund walls and plinths. We have also installed a screening bund along the east side of the site, this bund will reduce once our site cabins are removed towards the end of the year. Upcoming works will include the completion of the new GT1 and GT2 bund bases and commencement of new bases for cable sealing end structures, busbar supports and protection equipment. Installation of ducting for new 33kV and 132kV cables as well as installing a new security fence around the substation platform extension. We thank the local community and neighbouring businesses for their patience and understanding while we continue to progress with extending the existing SSEN Transmission Abernethy substation to enable the connection of 57 megawatt (MW) of new renewable generation. To view a selection of photographs taken from site documenting the project construction progress please visit the project overview section of this webpage via the link below.

Following our Principal Contractor, Freedom Group mobilising to site in October to commence enabling works and establish their site compound, we had at that time anticipated for the works to widen the road to the substation from the A913 to commence from 8 November. Due to unforeseen delays the road widening works will now commence from Monday 6 December for 5 working days. These works are required to be completed prior to Christmas to allow a start on the platform build in January and traffic management will be carried out via stop go boards. In preparation for starting on the substation platform extension in the New Year we will be looking to carry out a strip of the vegetation on the platform area before works stop for the festive period on 17 December. When Freedom Group return to site on Tuesday 4th January 2022, activities that will commence will include forming the new platform and internal access roads for the new Grid Transformers. These new foundations will be piled ahead of the new concrete bases being formed. This is an essential part of the substation civil works and will commence from mid-January until mid-February. The works are required to ensure that the platform can withstand the loadings from our outdoor plant and equipment. We apologise for any inconvenience these upcoming activities cause and as always thank the local community for their patience and understanding while our works are executed.

Our Principal Contractor; Freedom Group have begun setting up their site compound and started enabling works in order to commence the start of construction on the Abernethy substation extension project. The site compound will be situated on land next to the existing substation. Works to widen the road to the substation from the A913 are expected to commence from w/c 8 November.

SSEN Transmission welcome the decision made by Perth and Kinross Council on Tuesday the 11th of May 2021 to grant permission to proceed with our extension of the existing Abernethy substation. As a responsible developer, we will continue to engage with the local community before, during and after construction.

We are delighted to confirm we have now submitted our final planning application to Perth and Kinross Council regarding our proposal to extend the existing Abernethy substation. Should you wish to view our application in full and submit formal comment to the council our application can be viewed via the Perth and Kinross Council planning portal, under reference 20/01770/FLM.

The feedback period for providing comments following our virtual consultation that we held on the 7th of July has now closed. The project team would like to extend thanks to all members of the public who took the time to provide feedback on our proposals. All responses received will now be reviewed ahead of submission of a planning application to Perth and Kinross Council.

SSEN Transmission has developed an online consultation tool, to enable the local community to experience the full exhibition from home on a computer, tablet or mobile device. The online exhibition has been designed to look and feel like a real consultation in a community hall, with exhibition boards, maps and the opportunity to share views on the proposals. Visitors will be able to engage directly with the project team, via a live chat function, where they can ask any questions they might have about the project and share their feedback on the current proposals. The virtual consultation events will be taking place as follows: 7 July 2020 14:00 - 16:00 & 18:00 - 20:00

We have now submitted the Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Perth and Kinross Council under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(Scotland) Regulations 2013. This notice states our intent to submit a planning application to extend the existing SSEN Transmission substation 1.2km north east of the village of Abernethy. The notice can be viewed under reference : 20/00005/PAN.