

The Beauly 132kV Reinforcement project is required to enable the connection of the Loch Luichart Extension II windfarm. Infinergy signed a connection offer for 36MW of generation in 2019, and SSEN Transmission are now looking to replace aging assets at Beauly 132kV substation to enable this connection to the grid.
The project will involve the following elements:
This project will deliver more operational flexibility and improve network security at Beauly 132kV substation.
Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with local communities and keep people informed about what we are doing. This is particularly important when we are developing a project and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.
We endeavour to take the time to discuss our proposals with local community councils and the wider affected community and to carry out engagement at key stages, listening to feedback before finalising project plans.
Whilst we are unable to hold public consultation events or meetings at this time, we will be seeking to engage with the local community through other means, to ensure that local residents have the opportunity to provide feedback at an early stage in the development.
Our project team have been consulting with the local community and interested stakeholders on this proposed project and hosted virtual consultations in October 2020, March and June 2021. All feedback received from these and other community meetings is being considered and incorporated where possible into the final design plans, these will be submitted to The Highland Council around September 2021.
To support everyone online, we provide accessibility and language options on our website through ‘Recite Me’. The accessibility and language support options provided by ‘Recite Me’ include text-to-speech functionality, fully customisable styling features, reading aids, and a translation tool with over 100 languages, including 35 text-to-speech. Please select “Accessibility” on our website to try out our inclusive toolbar.
To make use of this function please click on the 'accessibility' button at the top right of the website.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is the trading name of Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Limited, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc and Southern Electric Power Distribution plc.
Investments in projects are made by SHE Transmission plc. Electricity transmission companies are authorised to recover the costs of such investments through 'use of system' charges which are levied by National Grid Electricity Transmission plc on generators and suppliers of electricity. Suppliers recover their costs from all electricity customers. In order to protect the interests of customers, the transmission companies have to demonstrate to the energy regulator, Ofgem (Office for Gas and Electricity Markets) that proposed investments are necessary, are efficient and are economical so that the charges which are ultimately levied on all electricity customers are justified.
This means SHE Transmission is subject to a funding mechanism established by Parliament and regulated by Ofgem. Cross subsidies between different businesses in the SSE group is not permitted.
The Scottish Ministers are responsible for determination of applications submitted under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. Both statutory consultees and members of the public have the right to submit their representations on the application. All representations will be considered by Scottish Ministers in their determination of the application.
The Office for Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), as the regulator, has to approve all investment so project proposals are developed under license conditions.
Preferred route corridors chosen will comply with revised ‘Holford Rules’ which are the recognised industry approach to routeing overhead lines amended to reflect Scottish circumstances.
The Holford Rules originated in 1959 as the result of work by Lord Holford, a part-time member of the Central Electricity Generating Board (National Grid's predecessor). The Holford Rules have been augmented by both National Grid and SHE Transmission plc to reflect environmental legislation and best practice in recent years. We have continued to use them as a valuable set of guidelines for reducing the impact of our assets on landscapes.
The guidance recommends appropriate application of the Holford Rules to inform routeing. These rules advocate the application of a hierarchical approach to routeing which first avoids major areas of highest amenity, then smaller areas of high amenity, and finally considers factors such as backdrop, woodland and orientation. The Holford Rules apply the term ‘amenity’ to refer to environmental designations and classifications such as Natura 2000 sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, National Parks.
The guidance also recognises that the key effect of overhead lines is visual and it advises that the routeing of overhead lines should consider the types of mitigation (screening) that could offset any visual effects.
In their National Policy Statement EN-5, the Government has stated that the Holford Rules “should be followed by developers when designing their proposals.” Their use is therefore Government policy, rather than a voluntary choice of SHE Transmission plc.
SHE Transmission are regulated by the Office for Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), the regulator responsible for representing consumers' interests. Electricity consumer interests are therefore one of our key drivers and this is enshrined in our statutory duties under the Electricity Act.
In particular we have a statutory duty to develop, maintain and operate an efficient, economic and co-ordinated transmission system. Since the costs of these projects will ultimately be paid for by electricity consumers, we have a responsibility to take cost into account with due weighting in a comparison against other important factors.
It’s the highest voltage electricity network in the UK – the ‘motorway network’ of the energy world. It transmits large quantities of electricity over long distances via wires carried on a system of mainly metal towers (pylons) and large substations. Transmission voltages in Scotland are 132kV, 275kV and 400kV. Larger generation schemes usually connect to the Transmission system.
The lower voltage parts of the system are called distribution networks. In Scotland, these local networks operate below 132kV whereas in England the distribution network includes 132kV.
Related Projects: Beauly 132kV Reinforcement Project
Related Projects: Beauly 132kV Reinforcement Project
Related Projects: Beauly 132kV Reinforcement Project
Related Projects: Beauly 132kV Reinforcement Project
To keep informed of all that is happening on this project, please complete your details below and provide consent to enable us to send you updates via email
For information on how we collect and process your data, please see our privacy notice at www.ssen.co.uk/PrivacyNotice/. If you do not have access to our website, or would like to receive a hard copy, please contact us.