About the project 

The original transmission network in Argyll and Bute was constructed over 60 years ago and designed to transmit electricity to consumers in rural areas of low-density population.

As the UK strives for Net Zero (achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere and those taken out), SSEN Transmission has seen a significant increase in generator connection applications in Argyll and Kintyre in the last 18 months, predominantly in renewable generation.

There is therefore a requirement for us to increase our network capability in Argyll and Kintyre, beyond that already under current construction and public development, to enable the connection of further renewable generation and to export to the wider GB network. We have called this group of works designed to deliver the required increase in network capacity our ‘Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy’.

Our Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy consists of 3 projects, one of which has previously been consulted on publicly since 2016 and another two which are in early development and the initial consultation stage. They are as follows:

• Creag Dhubh - Dalmally 275kV Connection 

 This project involves establishing a new substation at Creag Dhubh and new switching station at Glen Lochy, connected by approximately 14km of new overhead line.

• Creag Dhubh - Inveraray 275kV Overhead Line 

 This is a new project which would involve between 8-12 km of new 275kV overhead line constructed between the proposed new substation at Creag Dhubh, and a connection point on the Inveraray to Crossaig overhead line.  It will initially be operated at 132kV, but will be capable of 275kV operation, once associated transmission network connected substations to the south have been upgraded to 275kV capability. The existing 132kV overhead line between Inveraray and the proposed new Creag Dhubh substation will be removed.   

• Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Substations 

 To complete the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy, existing connected substations south of Inveraray require upgrade to 275kV capability, as a result we are progressing with a new project which would involve construction and operation of new 275kV electricity substations in the vicinity of the existing An Suidhe, Crarae and Crossaig Substations, and in the vicinity of Craig Murrail, north of Lochgilphead.

Argyll stakeholder webinar 

The Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy was introduced to stakeholders during a regional webinar on 17^th March 2021. Within the webinar, members of our project team outline the generation background history, the timeline we are working to and provide further context of the project requirement and anticipated next steps. To view the webinar, please click on the video adjacent.