Overview
Status: Operational Phase
About the Project
The 132kV double circuit overhead line between Inverness and Keith Substations has a total route length of 92km, 29km between Inverness and Nairn and 63km between Nairn, Elgin and Keith. The section between Inverness and Beauly was reconductored and reinsulated in 1992. The section between Beauly and Keith was constructed in 1955 and forms an integral part of the transmission system, which was upgraded between 2018 and 2021.
We invested in the network to fully refurbish many of the towers and replace the existing wires (conductors) starting from Beauly Substation in 2018 and finishing at Keith Substation in 2021. The new wires are capable of carrying increased amounts of electricity whilst ensuring the security of electricity supply.
There are some very challenging aspects along the route, including major road crossings (A82, A862 ,A96 and the A9), numerous railway crossings, and water crossings at the River Ness and Caledonian Canal. The overhead line also crosses through the residential area of Holm as well as historic sites such as Culloden Battlefield.
Project Activities
Some of the project activities undertaken are as follows:
- Some tree cutting along the route as required
- A number of tower foundation upgrades as required
- Tower steel strengthening
- New access tracks into tower locations as required
- Reconducting works (replacing existing conductors and fittings with new)
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Project Updates
Featured updates
Featured updates for this project
SSEN Transmission publishes new economic analysis highlighting transformative growth potential of £29bn grid investment programme
Project updates
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SSEN Transmission publishes new economic analysis highlighting transformative growth potential of £29bn grid investment programme
We have today published a new economic report setting out the significant economic benefits associated with our planned £29bn investment in new and upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across the north of Scotland.
The report, titled ‘Re‑energising the North: Transforming Scotland’, provides an update on our previously outlined economic analysis on plans to invest billions in mission-critical grid infrastructure, providing further insight into the scale of economic opportunity associated with the investment programme.
The report reaffirms our programme as one of the largest private infrastructure investments in Scotland’s history, with around £29bn of planned investment across the north of Scotland in the next five years, and it details the extent of the economic opportunity across the region.Using advanced economic modelling to analyse the impact of clean power infrastructure investment, the report’s findings conclude that our investment:
- Will support up to 10,000 jobs in the north of Scotland, and 24,000 across Scotland;
- When added to investment by other transmission operators and investment in generation will add around £60bn to UK economic output - with the Scottish economy up to 3% larger over the long term;
- Will deliver long-term improvements in productivity, wages and economic resilience, with employees moving into higher-value roles and key sectors expanding permanently; and
- Will create unique opportunities for Scottish suppliers, businesses and communities across multiple sectors, including forestry, peatland restoration, aggregates and concrete too.
The findings highlight the importance of ensuring that the benefits of investment are felt locally, with thousands of skilled jobs, increased supply chain activity, and investment flowing into communities across the north of Scotland.
Read the full News and Views article to find out more. -
We're here to lend a helping hand
We are committed to supporting the communities in the north of Scotland where we operate, both now and in the future. As part of our ongoing efforts to make a difference and have a positive impact on local communities, we are proud to offer volunteering days to local groups and charities, particularly in the areas that host our electricity infrastructure or where our proposed projects are located.
This month, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Volunteering Webpage, designed to make it easier for local communities to request volunteering support from us. To request our help, simply complete the ‘Volunteering Nomination Form’ linked at the bottom of our new webpage. Please note, as our team works on a voluntary basis, it may take us some time to coordinate our people and match them with opportunities. We kindly ask for your patience as we work to keep up with volunteering demand.
Thank you for considering SSEN Transmission as a partner in your community efforts. Together, we can leave a positive, lasting legacy and help transform communities across the north of Scotland.
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Project Completion
The Beauly-Inverness-Keith project team and our delivery partner Balfour Beatty celebrate a job well done as the final section of the Beauly to Keith overhead line upgrade project is completed, bringing to a close 3 years of hard work. -
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SSEN Transmission teams have successfully completed the works between Beauly and Nairn
SSEN Transmission teams have successfully completed the works between Beauly and Nairn, which saw 40km of new overhead line installed over a 10-month period.Mike Cowie, SSEN Transmission’s Project Manager, said, “I’d like to thank the local communities for their patience as our teams have gone about their work, especially those who have been impacted by the various road closures and traffic management which have been in place along the route.“This phase of the project has been particularly challenging due to periods of bad weather we experienced, which meant that we had to re-schedule certain parts of the work plan, and so I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and commitment which has seen the work completed on time. “ -
Temporary road closure
Temporary road closure starting on 9 July of a short section of Essich Road in the city during the hours of 09:00 -16:00 Monday to Friday. Works are expected to last approximately four weeks. -
Balfour Beatty awarded Beauly to Keith overhead line and cabling works worth c. £43.5 million
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has been awarded two contracts worth c. £43.5 million for the Beauly to Keith 132kV modernisation programme.Both contracts have been awarded by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc, part of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), through the existing F2 Overhead Line General Works Framework and the 132kV Underground Cable Works Framework.Read more at: https://www.balfourbeatty.com/news/balfour-beatty-awarded-beauly-to-keith-overhead-line-and-cabling-works-worth-c-435-million/
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