

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 as follows:
As work continues on Phase 1 of the Inveraray to Crossaig overhead line (OHL) project, we are pleased to announce that the first towers have now been topped out. The team are making great progress with 23 towers fully erected so far, and are on track to construct a further 106 towers by the end of the first phase.
Following a pause in construction works in March to review Government guidance and update work methods and procedures in relation to COVID-19, our contractors began a phased return to work in mid-April. Measures were implemented to maintain social distancing on site such as catering, reorganisation of resource into ‘family units’, additional vehicles, perspex screens in vans, an onsite laundry facility and alternative arrangements for fuelling. Despite these challenges, our teams have still made great progress completing forestry work and the 100km of access tracks required to gain access to tower sites.
The topping out of the first towers near Inveraray is a huge milestone for the Inveraray – Crossaig project and we’re now looking forward to completing our access tracks by the end of the Summer and commencing wiring activity in the Autumn. Phase 1 of the Inveraray to Crossaig project remains on target to complete the new build overhead line and associated substation modifications between Inveraray and Port Ann by mid-2021.
Following mobilisation in early October 2019, access track and foundation installation has progressed in line with project plans, with the first steel towers having been erected in July 2020. To see how the project has been developing, please see our Progress Gallery
To help provide a clear indication of how the project is progressing during construction of Phase 1 of the project (between Inveraray and Port Ann), please see the tables below, which we will be aiming to keep updated on a monthly basis. These indicate the percentage of completion for piling and foundations to enable tower assembly, tower assembly and errection, wiring of the towers and access tracks for construction.
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 to both inform local residents and stakeholders 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 click on the links above.
Requests have been made to National Grid 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.
On 27th July 2018, SHE Transmission submitted a Section 37 consent application to the Scottish Government for ther Inveraray - Crossaig project to install a 275kV overhead line (to be initially operated at 132kV) between Inveraray substation and Crossaig substation. To read the press release regarding the submission, please click here.
In Summer 2019, SHE Transmission welcomed the decision by Scottish Ministers to grant consent for the project.
The full application can be viewed via the Energy Consents Unit website, however 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 documentation' tab on this page.
The videos below provide an overview of the new route the rebuild will take and further interactive visualisations of the proposals are available online, via the Interactive EIA Report
Related Projects: Inveraray - Crossaig
Related Projects: Inveraray - Crossaig
The adjacent video, which has been designed by specialist company 3D Webtech, allows viewers to see what the Inveraray - Crossaig project will look like when complete. This video, along with the area specific overviews of Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig (located below), has been created to increase the transparency of our plans following the recent submission of our Section 37 planning application to the Scottish Government.
We are keen to hear your views on the 3D models, and you can send your feedback either on our facebook page or by email to Kelly Scott, the project’s Community Liaison Manager, at kelly.scott@sse.com.
The data in this map is provided for indicative purposes only and may be subject to change. Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc do not accept responsibility for its accuracy, completeness or validity. The data should not be copied, reproduced or utilised externally without permission.
Related Projects: Inveraray - Crossaig
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