Overview
Cambushinnie 400kV Substation
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the Cambushinnie consultation event on 20 March where we presented proposals regarding the proposed Cambushinnie 400KV substation near Braco.
We will be seeking comments and feedback from members of the public, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders regarding our proposals until 1 May 2024. Submit your comments and feedback via the feedback form at the top of this page or by emailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.
If you were unable to attend the public event please view the virtual exhibition room linked below, which presents all the information that was on display. You can also download the project materials from the Project Documents section of the website.
Click here to view the virtual consultation room
Bingally 400kV Substation
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the Bingally consultation event on 27 March where we presented proposals regarding the proposed Bingally 400KV substation.
We will be seeking comments and feedback from members of the public, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders regarding our proposals until 8 May 2024. Submit your comments and feedback via the feedback form at the top of this page or by emailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.
If you were unable to attend the public event please view the virtual exhibition room linked below, which presents all the information that was on display. You can also download the project materials from the Project Documents section of the website.
Click here to view the virtual consultation room
Please let us know if you require information in an adapted format such as paper copy, large print or braille and we will work with you to accommodate your preferences. We are happy to accommodate all reasonable requests for adapted communications.
About the Project
In order to support the continued growth in onshore and offshore renewables across the north of Scotland, supporting the country's drive towards Net Zero, investment in network infrastructure is needed to connect this renewable power and transport it from source to areas of demand across the country.
Extensive studies have confirmed the need for the Beauly – Denny Second Circuit 400kV Upgrade Project and new 400kV substations at Braco West and Fasnakyle. The project includes the following elements:
- A new 400kV substation at Braco West (near Crieff)
- A new 400kV substation at Fasnakyle (near Beauly)
- Modifications or extensions to other substations along the route, including Fort Augustus, Errochty, Kinardochy and Tummel
- Connections to existing substations will also be required as part of the upgrade
The existing Beauly – Denny overhead line is 137 miles long and runs from Beauly, north of Inverness, to Denny near Falkirk. It was the first 400kV overhead line built in our network area and became fully operational in 2015. There are two circuits on the overhead line, one running at 400kV and the other at 275kV. We are now required to upgrade the second circuit to 400kV to help transport large scale renewable generation from the north of Scotland to areas of demand.
Due to the overhead line being constructed for 400kV operation on each of its two circuits, but put into service with one operating at the lower voltage of 275kV, we do not anticipate any alterations to the existing overhead line in order to upgrade it.
New 400kV substations are required at Braco West and Fasnakyle to house more sophisticated switching capability than is present in the existing 275kV substations, which requires significantly more space than either existing substation can currently accommodate.
This video outlines how the project contributes to our role in delivering Net Zero.
Braco West Story Map
Our Environmental Consultants, AECOM, have created a story map for Braco West where you can find out more information on the project.
Please let us know if you require information in an adapted format such as paper copy, large print or braille and we will work with you to accommodate your preferences. We are happy to accommodate all reasonable requests for adapted communications.
Pathway to 2030
The Pathway to 2030, published by National Grid ESO, the electricity system operator for Great Britain, sets the blueprint for the electricity transmission network infrastructure required to enable the forecasted growth in renewable electricity across Great Britain.
The projects identified within the Pathway to 2030 are critical to delivering the UK and Scottish Government’s offshore wind targets. To deliver these targets, we are investing over £10bn to upgrade the network infrastructure across the north of Scotland as the region plays a leading role in the clean energy transition.
As part of this investment, there is a requirement for the Beauly - Denny 400kV Upgrade Project.
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
Bingally 400kV Substation
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the Bingally consultation event on 27 March where we presented proposals regarding the proposed Bingally 400KV substation.
We will be seeking comments and feedback from members of the public, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders regarding our proposals until 8 May 2024. Submit your comments and feedback via the feedback form at the top of this page or by emailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.
If you were unable to attend the public event please view the virtual exhibition room linked below, which presents all the information that was on display. You can also download the project materials from the Project Documents section of the website.
Click here to view a 3D flythrough of the proposed substation
Click here to view the virtual consultation room
Please let us know if you require information in an adapted format such as paper copy, large print or braille and we will work with you to accommodate your preferences. We are happy to accommodate all reasonable requests for adapted communications.
Braco West (Cambushinnie) 400kV Substation
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the Cambushinnie consultation event on 20 March where we presented proposals regarding the proposed Cambushinnie 400KV substation near Braco.
We will be seeking comments and feedback from members of the public, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders regarding our proposals until 1 May 2024. Submit your comments and feedback via the feedback form at the top of this page or by emailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.
If you were unable to attend the public event please view the virtual exhibition room linked below, which presents all the information that was on display. You can also download the project materials from the Project Documents section of the website.
Click here to view a 3D flythrough of the proposed substation.
Click here to view the virtual consultation room.
Fasnakyle (Bingally) 400kV Substation – Public Event
We are pleased to be hosting a public event on our proposed Fasnakyle area 400kV Substation, part of the Beauly-Denny 400kV Upgrade Project, following the site selection consultation event in September 2023 and publication of the Report on Consultation in March 2024.
We are holding this face to face event as part of the statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) process, which is required for major planning applications. At this drop-in event we will present our proposals for this development and any changes that have been made since we last consulted with you.
Following this event, we will be seeking comments and feedback from members of the public, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders regarding our proposals until 8 May 2024. Submit your comments and feedback via the feedback form at the top of the page or by emailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.
The event will be held on:
Date: 27 March 2024
Time: 2pm – 7:30pm
Venue: Cannich Hall, Cannich, Beauly, IV4 7LJ
If you are unable to attend the public event all the material that will be on display are available to be downloaded from the project documents section of this webpage.
Fort Augustus Substation 400kV Upgrade – Feedback Event
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the Fort Augustus feedback event on 22 February where we presented proposals regarding the Fort Augustus substation upgrade.
We will be seeking final comments and feedback from members of the public, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders regarding our proposals until 29 February 2024. Submit your comments and feedback by emailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.
If you were unable to attend the public event please view the virtual exhibition room here, which presents all the information that was on display. You can also download the project materials from the Project Documents section of the website.
Report on Consultation - Braco West Substation
The Report on Consultation is now available to download from the Project Documentation tab, under 'Braco West 400kV Substation Consultation Documents'.
The next consultation event for this project will be in March 2024, where we will present the substation design. All information on this event and consultation period will be made available on this webpage.
We would once again like to thank all stakeholders who took the time to engage with our early consultation process. We will continue to engage with stakeholders ahead of consulting further with local communities and stakeholders as we look to refine our proposals.
Fort Augustus Feedback Event
We are holding a public event on our proposed upgrade to the existing Fort Augustus substation, following the initial consultation event in November 2023 and feedback period which closed on 11 January 2024.
We are holding this face to face drop-in event to present our final proposed substation extension design, which has been informed by stakeholder feedback. We will also present our responses to feedback received as part of the statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) which is required for major planning applications.
Following this event, we will be seeking final comments and feedback from members of the public, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders regarding our proposals until 29 February 2024. Submit your comments and feedback by emailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.
The event will be held on:
Date: 22 February 2024
Time: 3:30pm – 7pm
Venue: Fort Augustus Village Hall, Church Road, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DG
If you are unable to attend the public event all the material that will be on display will be available to be downloaded from the project documents section of this webpage from 22 February.
Fasnakyle 400kV Substation Updated Consultation Document
In September 2023 we presented our shortlisted site options at a public consultation for the proposed new 400kV substation in the Fasnakyle area. Following the feedback received from communities during this consultation period, and considering further assessments on the shortlisted options, we have revised the Site Selection Consultation Document to provide more detail on our process and to include additional sites that have since been identified for further consideration.
The evaluation of the sites will be concluded and summarised within the Report on Consultation due to be issued in the coming weeks.
The updated consultation document is available to be downloaded from the project documents section of this webpage or at the link below.
Fasnakyle Site Selection Consultation Document - 2024 Update
Fort Augustus Feedback Period Closes
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to submit feedback on the proposed upgrade to the existing Fort Augustus Substation.
The consultation period for this project has now closed and feedback is being reviewed by the project team. The next consultation for this project will take place on 22 February 2024. Full details will be made available on the project webpage in due course.
November 2023 Public Consultation
We are hosting a public consultation to gain views and feedback on the proposed upgrade to the existing Fort Augustus substation to 400kV.
This consultation is an open door drop-in session, and will allow for presentation of key project information and plans, as well as providing the opportunity to give feedback on our proposals for the substation upgrade.
We encourage all members of the local community and all interested parties to attend the event and meet with our project team who will be there to talk through the details of the project and answer any of your questions.
There is an eight-week feedback period for this consultation, during which all stakeholders are invited to provide feedback specific to the proposals at this stage. Our consultation period for this project opens on 16 November 2023 and will close on 11 January 2024.
The consultation event will be held on:
Date: 30 November 2023
Time: 2 - 7pm
Venue: Fort Augustus Village Hall, Church Road, PH32 4DG
If you are unable to attend the in-person public consultation event, please click here to view the virtual consultation room, where you will find all the material that will be on display at the event. You can also download the materials from the project documents section of this webpage.
Fasnakyle and Braco Area Ground Investigations
Ground investigation works, being undertaken as part of ongoing site selection, are due to commence in the coming weeks for the proposed new Fasnakyle and Braco area 400kV substations.
The project is at the early stages of development and the investigation works are a key part of this process. The results will provide project teams with valuable information to help inform the site selection process.
The works will involve digging and drilling a series of trial pits and boreholes across the site to obtain a detailed picture of ground conditions and geology. Overseeing the works will be the SSEN Transmission project team, together with specialist supervision from ecologists who will ensure the works do not negatively impact on local wildlife (both known and unknown).
We would like to thank the local community for their patience while we carry out these essential works.
Fasnakyle Feedback Period Closes
The site selection consultation period for this project has now closed and feedback is being reviewed by the project team. The next consultation for this project will take place in Q1 2024. Full details will be made available on the project webpage in due course.
SSEN Transmission sets out next steps for Pathway to 2030 network developments
We have announced our next steps for our Pathway to 2030 programme of projects. We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with our teams and kindly taken the time to respond to our consultations.
Full details of the announcement can be found here:
Next steps for Pathway to 2030
Braco Feedback Period Closes
The site selection consultation period for this project has now closed and feedback is being reviewed by the project team. The next consultation for this project will take place in Q1 2024. Full details will be made available on the project webpage in due course.
Fasnakyle Feedback Period
These events, which were held on 5 September at Cannich Hall and 7 September virtually, are followed by a six week feedback period, during which all stakeholders are invited to provide feedback specific to the proposals at this stage. Our consultation period for the 400kV Fasnakyle substation will close on 17 October.
If you were unable to attend the public consultation event all the relevant material is available to be downloaded from the project documents section of this webpage or the link below.
Fasnakyle September 2023 public consultation booklet
Braco West Feedback Period
This event, which was held on 22 August at Braco Hall, is followed by a six week feedback period, during which all stakeholders are invited to provide feedback specific to the proposals at this stage. Our consultation period for the 400kV Braco West substation will close on 3 October.
If you were unable to attend the public consultation event all the relevant material is available to be downloaded from the project documents section of this webpage or via the link below.
Braco West August 2023 public consultation booklet
Our Environmental Consultants AECOM have also created a story map which you can access below.
Story map
Please let us know if you require information in an adapted format such as paper copy, large print or braille and we will work with you to accommodate your preferences. We are happy to accommodate all reasonable requests for adapted communications.
August 2023 Public Consultation
Our face to face consultation event will give members of the public an opportunity to view our proposals and speak with members of the project team.
This event will be followed by a six week feedback period, during which all stakeholders are invited to provide feedback specific to the proposals at this stage. We would encourage all members of the local community, and all interested parties to attend the event and meet with our project team who will be there to talk through the details of the project and answer any of your questions. Our consultation period for this project opens on 22 August and will close on 3 October.
The consultation will be held on:
Date: 22 August 2023
Time: 3:30pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Braco Hall, Feddal Rd, Braco, Dunblane, FK15 9QD
If you are unable to attend the public consultation event all the material that will be on display will be available to be downloaded from the project documents section of this webpage.
Please let us know if you require information in an adapted format such as paper copy, large print or braille and we will work with you to accommodate your preferences. We are happy to accommodate all reasonable requests for adapted communications.
Project Documents
Next steps for Pathway to 2030 network developments
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The challenges with undergrounding at 400kV
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- Date:
- 18 March 2024
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- 424.8 KB
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Delivering a Postive Environmental Legacy Booklet
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- Date:
- 12 February 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
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Delivering a Lasting Legacy Leaflet
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- Date:
- 12 February 2024
- Size:
- 2.2 MB
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How has the need for Pathway to 2030 projects been assessed and determined
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- 14 November 2023
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- 5.1 MB
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SSEN Transmission sets out next steps for 2030 network developments
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- 11 October 2023
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- 122.3 KB
Fort Augustus 400kV Substation Consultation Documents
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Fort Augustus 400kV Substation February 2024 Feedback Event Booklet
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- Date:
- 19 February 2024
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- 16.2 MB
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Fort Augustus Feedback Event Poster February 2024
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- Date:
- 06 February 2024
- Size:
- 475.5 KB
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Fort Augustus Consultation Document
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- Date:
- 20 November 2023
- Size:
- 1.9 MB
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Fort Augustus Consultation Event Poster November 2023
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- Date:
- 16 November 2023
- Size:
- 189.4 KB
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Fort Augustus 400kV Substation November 2023 Public Consultation Booklet
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- Date:
- 16 November 2023
- Size:
- 16.6 MB
Fasnakyle 400kV Substation Consultation Documents
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Fasnakyle area (Bingally) Pre-application Consultation Booklet
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- Date:
- 13 March 2024
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- 5.5 MB
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Fasnakyle area (Bingally) Pre-application Consultation Poster
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- Date:
- 13 March 2024
- Size:
- 490.5 KB
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Report on Consultation - Fasnakyle Area Substation.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 March 2024
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- 1.4 MB
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Fasnakyle Site Selection Consultation Document - Update 2024.pdf
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- Date:
- 08 February 2024
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- 3.5 MB
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Fasnakyle Site Selection Consultation Document
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- Date:
- 05 September 2023
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- 2.7 MB
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Fasnakyle 400kV Substation September 2023 public consultation booklet
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 5.8 MB
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Environmental Constraints
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
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- 17.3 MB
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Potential Site
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
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- 8.1 MB
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Substation Options Appraised at Stage 2
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 8.2 MB
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Substation Options.pdf
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 23.5 MB
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New Fasnakyle 400kV Substation Public Consultation Poster
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- Date:
- 18 August 2023
- Size:
- 134.8 KB
Braco West 400kV Substation Consultation Documents
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Braco area (Cambushinnie) Pre-application Consultation Booklet
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- Date:
- 07 March 2024
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- 4.9 MB
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Braco area (Cambushinnie) Pre-application Consultation Poster
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- Date:
- 07 March 2024
- Size:
- 451.9 KB
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Report on Consultation - Braco West Substation.pdf
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- Date:
- 08 February 2024
- Size:
- 7.5 MB
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Braco West Site Selection Consultation Document
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- Date:
- 18 August 2023
- Size:
- 2.2 MB
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Braco West 400kV Substation August 2023 Public Consultation Booklet
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- Date:
- 11 August 2023
- Size:
- 3.7 MB
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Environmental Considerations
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- Date:
- 11 August 2023
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- 5 MB
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Potential Substation Site Map
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- Date:
- 11 August 2023
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- 8.6 MB
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Stage 2 Site Options Appraised Map
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- Date:
- 11 August 2023
- Size:
- 9 MB
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Substation Site Selection Options Considered Map
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- Date:
- 11 August 2023
- Size:
- 10.4 MB
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New Braco West 400kV Substation Public Consultation Poster
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- Date:
- 09 August 2023
- Size:
- 79.8 KB
Project FAQs
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About the Pathway to 2030 projects
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Latest Links
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Report on Consultation
Our Reports on Consultation across our three new overhead line projects and associated substation and convertor station developments have now been published. These reports provide a summary of the extensive feedback received during consultation, how this has been considered and confirmation of which routes and substations are now being taken forward to the next stage of development.
Our Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab.
Summary Reports on Consultation are also available for each of the three schemes and can be downloaded below:
- Summary Report on Consultation Spittal to Beauly
- Summary Report on Consultation Beauly to Peterhead
- Summary Report on Consultation Kintore to Tealing
A stakeholder webinar available for all to join will be held in the coming weeks to share the changes informed by the feedback. More information about the forthcoming webinar will be shared on our events page shortly.
In further recognition of community feedback, we will seek to rationalise cumulative infrastructure impacts through the removal and undergrounding of existing transmission lines, where technically practical and appropriate, and subject to all necessary planning consents and landowner agreements.
Work to identify and assess potential sections of existing overhead line where their removal will reduce cumulative impacts is ongoing, with an update expected as part of the next round of public consultation on overhead line alignments and more detailed substation designs in early 2024.
We would once again like to thank all stakeholders who took the time to engage with our early consultation process. We will continue to engage with stakeholders ahead of consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine our proposals.
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Report on Consultation
Over the course of this year, we have undertaken extensive consultation on plans to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland and have received a considerable amount of feedback from a wide range of stakeholders regarding our proposals.
We recently advised in our next steps for 2030 network developments update that following assessment of consultation feedback and additional options analysis, we would publish our Report on Consultations (RoCs). These reports provide a summary of the feedback received and how it has been considered, which options we will take forward to the next stage of the development process and any changes to options initially consulted on.
It is our intention to publish the RoCs during the week commencing 27 November. All stakeholders signed up for updates on the project will receive a link to the report and we will also issue Summary Reports to help ensure accessibility.
These Report on Consultations mark the completion of the first round of non-statutory consultation, where we sought feedback on the corridor, route, and substation locations. We will be consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine the projects, therefore we welcome an open channel of communication and would like to reassure all stakeholders that there will be further opportunities to engage on this project.
Our Reports on Consultation and Summary Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab. -
SSEN Transmission sets out next steps for Pathway to 2030 network developments
We have announced our next steps for our Pathway to 2030 programme of projects. We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with our teams and kindly taken the time to respond to our consultations.
Full details of the announcement can be found here:
Next steps for Pathway to 2030