The delivery of 2 Super Grid Transformers (SGT’s) were successfully delivered to Peterhead as part of the 400kV Substation project over the last few weeks. The two SGT’s (weighing 200 tonnes each) were delivered to Peterhead site via a 14 axle trailer and AUX to AVR Cable installation and switch gear installation is ongoing. Significant progress has been made at Peterhead over the last few months with the installation of the Gas insulated Switchgear (GIS) building, two weather protection buildings and bunds with reinforced plinths for both SGT’s, upgrades to the A90 junction and the erection of two new steel lattice 400kV overhead line towers which will connect into the new 400kV Peterhead Substation. The coming months will see HITACHI on site for the installation of GIS and Gas Insulated Busbar (GIB) plant, new 275kV cable route from the new 400kV substation to the existing 275kV Peterhead substation. Our SGT supplier General Electric will have complete the installation, and commissioned both SGT’s and all Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) equipment will be installed. To view more images of progress on site please visit the "Photo gallery" on the "Project overview" section of the website.

To help facilitate the construction of Peterhead Substation and to ensure public safety, junction improvement works on the A90 road will be commencing on Monday 8th of November 2021. These improvement works are due to start on the A90 trunk road approximately 1.0 mile north of Stirling Village at the junction with the U66B at Newton of Sandford. The bellmouth of the A90 Junction is being widened on the Northbound approach to the U66 and the layby opposite the junction is being reconstructed to trunk road standard. To enable this, a temporary 30mph speed restriction and a three-way traffic light system will be in place for the duration of the works which are expected to be completed by 4:00pm on Friday, December 24, 2021. A map which shows 1 of 4 traffic managements layouts that may be in force during the works can be downloaded from the Project Documentation section of this website.

In order to facilitate the construction of Peterhead Substation and to ensure public safety, a temporary 40mph speed restriction on the A90 Trunk road (Stirling to Invernettie Roundabout) will be in operation from 1 July 2021 until 16 December 2022. It is suggested that the existing A90/U66B junction presents a risk to construction traffic turning on to the A90 from the single track road. This is particularly the case for slow moving HGV’s which have limited acceleration. During the period of the construction works, substantial numbers of HGV traffic movements will be required in order to construct the substation platform and deliver HV electrical equipment for installation and commissioning. It is proposed that a 40mph temporary speed restriction is implemented to improve junction safety for construction traffic, and members of the public, during the construction phase. As the completed substation site will be predominantly unmanned during operation there is not expected to be an increase in traffic numbers associated with the development longer term hence the road will be returned to a 60mph speed limit at the end of the substation construction period. A map showing where the signage layout and speed restriction extents can be downloaded from the project documentation section of this website.

To allow Balfour Beatty our Principal Contractor to safely to install the VS1 & VS2 132kV cable ducting, there will be a road closure on the Lendrum Road (South), U66B, Newton of Sandford, Peterhead from Monday 14th until Friday the 18th of June. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles. Alba traffic management will be attending today to install the temporary signage and detour routes. Maps showing the closure and the diversion route that will be in place can be downloaded from the Project Documentation section of this website.

Works at Peterhead are now well underway with the substation site beginning to take shape. Check out our video to get a birds eye view.

To allow Balfour Beatty our Principal Contractor to safely undertake road crossings that are required for the project works, there will be a road closure on the U66B, Newton of Sandford, Peterhead from Tuesday 26th until Wednesday the 27th of January. Access will be maintained locally and for emergency vehicles. Road plates will be laid on Tuesday night to allow vehicles to pass in the interim of the works being completed on Wednesday. Maps showing the closure and the diversion route that will be in place can be downloaded from the Project Documentation section of this website.

Our recently appointed Principal Contractor, Balfour Beatty, have completed pre contract public road widenings and will shortly commence the preparation works in setting up of the main site compound for the start of construction on the Peterhead substation project. The compound will be situated at Newton to A90T( AB42 3AJ) and we expect the set up to be complete in January 2021, this timeline takes into consideration a pause in the site compound set up works which will occur over the Christmas period.

Ahead of construction of our recently consented 400kV substation in Peterhead, there will be a series of public road improvement works close to Newton of Sandford, Peterhead adjacent to the existing SSE Power Station. Please see below for further details and plan ahead accordingly during construction times. U66B C64B at Newfield to A90 Near Newton of Sandford Road closed with diversions in place from 3/8/2020 for twelve weeks. Access will be maintained for local residents only. For any queries regarding these works or the Peterhead 400kV substation, please contact our Community Liaison Manager, Gary Donlin at gary.donlin@sse.com

In August we will be beginning public road improvement works at our Peterhead 400kV substation site. These works are essential improvements to the local road network that will allow our team to begin construction of our site later in the year. We anticipate any disruption to the local area to be minimal, however we will communicate final details of our proposed works, including dates, in the coming weeks to all stakeholders. Should you have any concerns or queries then please do not hesitate to get in touch with the project Community Liaison Manager.

Following a full Aberdeenshire council meeting, SSEN have been granted permission to proceed with our proposed substation near Peterhead. We welcome this decision from Aberdeenshire Council and as a responsible developer, we will continue to engage with the local community before, during and after the construction of the substation, which is a critical piece of network infrastructure and will play an important part in the move to a low carbon economy. We will keep all stakeholders informed of timelines associated with the project as and when they become available.

SSEN has this week submitted a Section 37 planning application to the Scottish Governments Energy Consents Unit and a Town and Country Planning application to Aberdeenshire Council relating to our proposals to install a new 275/400kV substation at Peterhead and the Overhead Line works associated with this. All members of the public can view and submit comment on these applications by using the following links; Section 37 Application Reference -ECU00001807 Website* - http://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspx *Please ensure to search under ‘planning authority’ when accessing the ECU website Advanced Search tab* Town & Country Planning Application Reference – APP/2019/0982 Website - https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=PQS20RCAIUC00 Please do not hesitate to contact Community Liaison Manager - Gary Donlin - should you wish to discuss our proposals in further detail.

SSEN would like to thank all who took the time to attend our recent consultation events in Rothienorman, Keith, Peterhead and Kintore. It was fantastic to see such a great turn out from members of the local community and to hear their thoughts and concerns on our proposal for the North East Overhead Line upgrade from 275kV to 400kV and on our proposal for a new 400kV substation at Peterhead. Our deadline for feedback following these events is on the 7th of December and the project Community Liaison Manager will be discussing all submitted feedback with the project team over the coming weeks. Once we have done this we will be in touch with residents to provide a further update on the project, however in the meantime if you have any queries or issues then please do not hesitate to contact the project Community Liaison Manager, Gary Donlin, on 07384 798 101 or Gary.Donlin@sse.com

SSEN will be visiting Peterhead on Wednesday 21st November to discuss our proposals for a new Substation with members of the public and local stakeholders. We will be in the Peterhead Rescue Hall, Prince Street, AB42 1QE between 14:00 and 19:00. We would love to meet with as many members of the local community as possible to discuss our proposals in more detail and to hear your thoughts and feedback on these. If you have any questions or queries on our event then please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Community Liaison Manager - Gary