Overview
About the Project
The aim of the project is to reinforce the existing transmission network between Inveraray and Crossaig to enable renewable energy projects to connect to the electricity network, and to ensure security of supply. The main elements of the project are:
- Construction of a new 275kV overhead line, initially operated at 132kV between Inveraray and Crossaig
- Extend the existing connection from Port Ann to the new overhead line
- Decommissioning/removal of the existing 132kV transmission line between Inveraray and Crossaig
Planning Consent
On 27th July 2018, we submitted a section 37 application to the Scottish Government for the Inveraray - Crossaig project, to install a 275kV overhead line (to be initially operated at 132kV) between Inveraray Substation and Crossaig Substation.
In Summer 2019, we welcomed the decision by Scottish Ministers to grant consent for the project - the full application can be viewed via the Energy Consents Unit website. Documentation relating to the application, such as the Enivronmental Impact Assesment (EIA) Report Non-Technical Summary and the Alignment Selection Consultation Document, can be downloaded from the Project Documents tab on this webpage. Interactive visualisations of the proposals are available online.
Why is the Project Required?
Requests have been made to National Grid ESO by a number of wind farm developers for transmission grid connections in the Argyll and Kintyre area. We are responsible for providing the infrastructure required to connect the wind farms to the electricity network.
As the transmission licence holder in the north of Scotland, we have a duty under Section 9 of the Electricity Act 1989 to facilitate competition in the generation and supply of electricity. We have obligations to offer non-discriminatory terms for connection to the transmission system, both for new generation and for new sources of electricity demand.
The aim of the project is to enable renewable energy to connect to our transmission network. Under our Network Operators Licence this connection should be efficient, co-ordinated and economic, whilst having the least possible impact on the environment.
Community Engagement
Throughout the development of the Inveraray - Crossaig Project, we have endeavoured to ensure that local residents have been well informed of our plans and have held three sets of public consultation events. These were held to inform local residents and stakeholders of the project, and to seek review of our proposals, feedback, and any concerns as the final route was developed.
These events were held in October 2014, March 2016 and September 2017 across local areas such as Inveraray, Tarbert, Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, Skipness and Carradale prior to submitting a section 37 application to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit in July 2018.
To view the consultation material from these events, please see the Project Documents tab on this webpage.
How we’re embracing artificial intelligence (AI)
We intend to use AI to assist our experienced teams in the analysis of your feedback, so we can categorise key points raised more quickly. You can learn more about how we’re utilising AI on this dedicated web page.
Project Updates
Project Complete
2023 Site Closure
Works on site are almost complete, however a full shut down will take place from 22 December 2023 until 5 January 2024.
The cabins will be uplifted and the site will be cleared by the 20th of December, however some of the project team will return in January to complete the final outstanding tasks.
Ardrishaig Footpath Closure Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th August 2023 between the hours of 0800 and 1700.
The project is in the process of dismantling the old/existing 132kV overhead line and we need to access a couple of towers via the footpath at Druimlussa. However, the footpath requires vegetation clearance to make it usable for the project team.
To enable these vegetation clearance work to proceed we will need to close the footpath from Druimlussa to the old / existing power line between Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th August 2023 between the hours of 0800 and 1700.
If you have any questions regarding these closures please dont hesitate to reach out to the project Community liaison Manager - caitlin.quinn@sse.com.
Festive period
Although the site will be closed for all construction workers during this period, security will remain in place.
Restoration works
Following on from energisation of phase 1 of the Inveraray to Crossaig overhead line project, our Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty have been working to re-instate and restore the land. To view a short video of SSEN Transmission's Project Manager, David Fraser, and Balfour Beatty's Project Manager, David Nevin, talking about these works, please click here.
Conductor Installation
A helicopter will be arriving on the project on Monday 24th October 2022 to commence the installation of the pilot wire between towers IC169 – IC194. To install the pilot wire between towers the helicopter will be flying at low level. This pilot wire is used to pull the conductors from tower to tower. These piloting works will take approximately 2 weeks however this timescale is very weather dependant and could take longer.
After the completion of these piloting works, the conductor installation will begin and these works are scheduled to last approximately 8 weeks, however this timescale is very weather dependant and could take longer.
During both these processes all access tracks will be closed or manned where required and an exclusion zone of 50M either side of the OHL will be put in placeAdvance notice of deliveries
Advance notice of grid transformer deliveries at Carradale Substation
Argyll Regional Webinar 2022
Progress Update April 2022
ACT-ing in partnership to support Scotland’s rainforest
First towers installed in multi-million-pound Port Ann to Crossaig Powerline Project
Advanced Notice of Road Closures
Site Update and Christmas Shut Down
Port Ann Car Park Closure
Maintenance Works
Car Park Closure
Phase 1 Construction - March 2021 Update
Argyll and Bute Information Sharing Webinar
Inveraray Primary School - Volunteering
First Towers Topped Out
Project update - April 2020
Fulfiling our critical role in Argyll and Bute
Public Access - Achnabreac Firetower Trail
Inveraray Christmas Lights
Forestry Works Commence
Inveraray - Temporary Traffic Lights
Section 37 Consent Granted
Interactive summary for Inveraray-Crossaig proposals
Application Submission
Public Feedback
Consultation Document
Scoping Report
Project Newsletter
Consultation Rescheduling
Project Documents
-
CLG Minutes Inveraray to Crossaig November 2022.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 28 November 2022
- Size:
- 174.3 KB
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Inveraray to Crossaig Newsletter Nov 22
- Type:
- Date:
- 28 November 2022
- Size:
- 681 KB
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a5-inveraray-crossaig-advert.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1 MB
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argyll-generation-seminar-slide-pack.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.7 MB
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argyll-march-2016-advert.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 80.1 KB
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argyll-region-sep-2017-update.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 10.9 MB
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cep-minutes-february-2022.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 178.4 KB
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clg-minutes-inveraray-to-crossaig-dec-21.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 185.3 KB
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clg-minutes-inveraray-to-crossaig-january-2022.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 185.1 KB
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clg-minutes-inveraray-to-crossaig-march-2022.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 186.4 KB
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eiareport_volume1_nontechnicalsummary.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 9.6 MB
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inveraray-cc-presentation-october-2019.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.7 MB
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inveraray-crossaig-boards-march-2016.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 8.5 MB
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inveraray-crossaig-brochure.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.3 MB
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inveraray-port-ann-transmission-link-project-update-april-2020.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 73.5 KB
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inveraray-to-crossaig-275-kv-ohl-report-on-consultation-alignment-eia-scoping-with-figures.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 5.9 MB
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inveraray-to-crossaig-environmental-impact-assessment-scoping-report-revision-1.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.1 MB
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inveraray-to-crossaig-newsletter-feb-22.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.8 MB
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inveraray-to-crossaig-reinforcement-project-newsletterpdf.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.4 MB
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inverary-crossaig-public-notice-achnabreac.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 91.2 KB
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maki-inveraray-to-port-ann-overhead-line-project-update-august-2020.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1 MB
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mid-argyll-clg-ssen_bb-presentation.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.6 MB
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phase-2-clg-june-minutes.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 566.5 KB
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phase-2-clg-october-minutes.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 497.2 KB
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public-notice-temporary-traffic-lights-sept-2019.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 572.5 KB
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ssen_t-argyll-webinar-17march21-final-slides.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 3.5 MB
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tarbert-skipness-cc-presentation-14th-november-2019.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 6.7 MB
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