Blackhillock – Keith – Macduff 132kV Reinforcement

Type:
Transmission reinforcement
Location:
Aberdeenshire, Moray
Rating:
132kV

Enhanced the grid in the Keith area with a new underground cable to Blackhillock, supporting renewable energy and ensuring network reliability.

Overview

Status: Operational Phase

Stage 5 of 5

5 joined together arrow shapes in a row each labelled with the stage number. All arrows are highlighted in filled green shades to indicate the project is at stage 5 of 5

  • Stage 1: Project Assessment: (Completed)

    During the Project Assessment stage, we’re committed to evaluating potential project strategies. At this stage, we provide information about the proposed project plans on our website for stakeholders to review and provide feedback on, as well as holding in-person events within the local community demonstrating our collaborative approach to the project's development.

  • Stage 2: Early Development: (Completed)

    During Early Development, we concentrate on refining the project details, based on our initial assessment of key environmental, technical, and economic factors to identify the best performing approach. We would like to gain further input from communities through accessible in-person and in some cases online consultations, which are crucial in refining our plans and strategies before advancing to the application stage.

  • Stage 3: Project Refinement: (Completed)

    The Project Refinement stage is where we finalise project plans and submit the required planning applications to the relevant planning authorities. Communities and other key stakeholders can provide feedback directly to the appropriate body such as their local council and constituent representatives.

  • Stage 4: Construction Phase: (Completed)

    Within the construction phase we mobilise our workforce, contractors, and necessary equipment to begin construction. We maintain open channels of communication, allowing communities and stakeholders to submit feedback on the construction activities to our dedicated Community Liaison Managers, ensuring ongoing engagement to any thoughts or concerns while we carry out work in the area.

  • Stage 5: Operational Phase: (Completed)

    At this final stage, the project successfully moves into the operational phase, with the surrounding environment restored to its original state or better. Our Community Liaison Mangers continue to be available to address any questions or concerns, ensuring a lasting positive impact and strong community relations even after the construction activities conclude.

About the Project

We reinforced the transmission network in the Macduff – Keith area as several new developers in the wider Keith, Elgin, and Macduff areas required connection to the grid by October 2020.

Network studies were undertaken on the Keith network area to confirm the requirement for network reinforcement. The preferred option identified was to remove the connection from Macduff Grid Supply Point to Keith, and to divert this to Blackhillock Substation. This reinforcement involved installing a new 132kV underground cable between Blackhillock and Keith.

For more information, please download our project information brochure from the Project Documents tab on this webpage. Please get in touch with the Community Liaison Manager with any questions or queries you may have - contact details are at the bottom of this page.

Overhead line of steel towers

North East and East Coast Information Brochure

Over the coming decade we plan to undertake substantial efforts to maintain, reinforce and improve our transmission network in the north east and east coast of Scotland.

As part of this process, we have created an information brochure to help paint the bigger picture of what we are planning, why we are doing so and when we intend carry out works in the local area.

This can be viewed in the Project Documents tab on this webpage.

Find Out More About East Coast 275kV Upgrade

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Find Out More About North East 400kV Upgrade

Community Engagement

Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with local communities and keep people informed about what we are doing. This is particularly important when we are developing a proposal and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.

We endeavour to take the time to discuss proposals with local community councils, encourage engagement from the wider community and listen to the feedback we receive.

We will do our best to answer any questions and address issues or concerns that are raised with us.

When our project progresses into construction, we will continue working closely with the local community to ensure that our work has as little impact on the lives of those living and working in the area and as many long term positive effects as possible.

An SSEN Transmission employees speaking with a member of the public at their door.

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.

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Project Contacts

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