Clash Gour Wind Farm Connection

Our principal contractor, Murphy Group, continues to carry out ground investigation works at the Clash Gour site. These works help us better understand local ground conditions and will inform the ongoing design and development of the project. Ground investigation activity is expected to continue over the summer months. 

Other contractors will also be present in the area to complete further survey work. This includes site walkovers, bat surveys, protected species surveys, noise assessments and other environmental and technical surveys. This work will continue next week and the following week at least. 

We will continue to keep local communities and stakeholders updated as the project progresses. 

We have today published a new economic report setting out the significant economic benefits associated with our planned £29bn investment in new and upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across the north of Scotland.

The report, titled ‘Re‑energising the North: Transforming Scotland’, provides an update on our previously outlined economic analysis on plans to invest billions in mission-critical grid infrastructure, providing further insight into the scale of economic opportunity associated with the investment programme.

The report reaffirms our programme as one of the largest private infrastructure investments in Scotland’s history, with around £29bn of planned investment across the north of Scotland in the next five years, and it details the extent of the economic opportunity across the region.

Using advanced economic modelling to analyse the impact of clean power infrastructure investment, the report’s findings conclude that our investment: 

• Will support up to 10,000 jobs in the north of Scotland, and 24,000 across Scotland; 
• When added to investment by other transmission operators and investment in generation will add around £60bn to UK economic output - with the Scottish economy up to 3% larger over the long term; 
• Will deliver long-term improvements in productivity, wages and economic resilience, with employees moving into higher-value roles and key sectors expanding permanently; and 
• Will create unique opportunities for Scottish suppliers, businesses and communities across multiple sectors, including forestry, peatland restoration, aggregates and concrete too. 

The findings highlight the importance of ensuring that the benefits of investment are felt locally, with thousands of skilled jobs, increased supply chain activity, and investment flowing into communities across the north of Scotland.

Read the full News and Views article to find out more.

At this stage of the project, our contractor, Murphy Group are now on site to establish a temporary construction compound and to carry out ground investigation works. These works will be ongoing for approximately 2 weeks .

The ground investigation works will include: 

• The compound will be securely fenced off using Heras fence panels. 

• Form access track and parking. 

• Landing of cabins for site accommodation and welfare facilities. 

• Digging of sample pits and boreholes at various areas on the site.   

This work has been planned to minimise local disruptions. A Construction Traffic management plan has been submitted to  Moray Council and all construction traffic will approach from the North at Tomnamoon avoiding Divie Viaduct.   Working hours will be between 0800 – 1900 Monday to Friday and between 0800 – 1300 Saturday.  

If you have any questions or queries relating to the project, please do not hesitate to contact our Community Liaison Manager Gordon Gilfillan.  

We are holding a public consultation event to gain views and feedback for part of our Clash Gour Wind Farm Connection project. For this consultation we will be consulting with the local community and all interested parties and encouraging feedback on our proposals relating to the proposed new Clash Gour substation.

The new substation will be required to enable the power from the windfarm to be transmitted to the grid via the 275kV OHL running between Knocknagel and Blackhillock. SSEN Transmission will now assume responsibility for delivery of the required Clash Gour Substation. As such there is a requirement to undertake a site selection exercise following SSEN Transmission procedures to ensure that the site location is the most appropriate.

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.

The consultation will be held on:

Date: Tuesday 03 June 2025
Time: 2pm – 7pm
Venue: Edinkillie Hall, Dunphail, Forres, IV36 2QW

This event will be followed by a 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 is now open and will close on 17 June 2025.  Submit your comments and feedback by completing the feedback form on our website or e-mailing or writing to your Community Liaison Manager.

If you are unable to attend this public event you can download the consultation booklet that will be on display from the 'Documents' section of the website.  

We are committed to supporting the communities in the north of Scotland where we operate, both now and in the future. As part of our ongoing efforts to make a difference and have a positive impact on local communities, we are proud to offer volunteering days to local groups and charities, particularly in the areas that host our electricity infrastructure or where our proposed projects are located. 

This month, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Volunteering Webpage, designed to make it easier for local communities to request volunteering support from us. To request our help, simply complete the ‘Volunteering Nomination Form’ linked at the bottom of our new webpage. Please note, as our team works on a voluntary basis, it may take us some time to coordinate our people and match them with opportunities. We kindly ask for your patience as we work to keep up with volunteering demand.

Thank you for considering SSEN Transmission as a partner in your community efforts. Together, we can leave a positive, lasting legacy and help transform communities across the north of Scotland.