Crarae 275kV Substation

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.

We have officially launched our first Community Benefit Fund in Argyll, with £3.2 million available to support communities closest to a major new electricity infrastructure project in the region.

The Argyll and Kintyre Local Fund will focus on communities neighbouring the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Reinforcement Project – a significant programme of electricity network upgrades designed to strengthen Argyll’s energy infrastructure, improve security of supply and support the transition to clean power.

One of the first funds of its kind to be established under new UK Government guidance, the £3.2m fund has been created to ensure that communities hosting vital new transmission infrastructure benefit directly from this investment. Funding will be available across ten community council areas located closest to the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV project route.

The first Argyll-focused local community benefit fund is now inviting applications from projects and groups based across Argyll, with the closing date for the fund set for Tuesday 4 August.

The launch of the fund follows on from a call out for a local decision-making panel last month, who will play a key role in guiding how the funding will be distributed. The panel, which will be made up of community members from across Argyll alongside one representative from SSEN Transmission, will be in place by the closing of the first round of applications for the first round of community benefit funding.

For more information about the fund and details on how to apply, visit the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Local Fund page.

Construction works will pause for the 2025 festive period with sites closing from 19 December 2025 until 5 January 2026. Although the sites will be closed for all construction workers during this period security will remain in place.  

We wish our local communities a safe and happy festive break. 

We are pleased to share that earthworks activities at the Crarae Substation site commenced at the end of August 2025. This marks a significant milestone in the construction phase of the project.

The earthworks involve preparing the site platform through cut and fill operations, integrating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to support the development of the new 275kV substation. These activities are essential to ensure the site is ready for the next stages of construction, including the installation of steel lattice towers and electrical infrastructure.

We remain committed to working closely with the local community throughout the construction process to minimise disruption and maximise long-term benefits. if you have any questions relating to this update please contact the project community liaison manager

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.

The GB electricity regulator Ofgem has provisionally approved SSEN Transmission’s proposals to upgrade the electricity transmission network in Argyll and Kintyre.

In its minded-to approve consultation on SSEN Transmission’s Final Needs Case, Ofgem has recognised the clear need for the Argyll and Kintyre Reinforcement Strategy, which will secure future electricity supplies in the area and enable the connection of new renewable electricity generation in the region. It will support the connection of at least 970MW of new renewable electricity generation, enough to power more than 500,000 homes.

As well as supporting the transition to net zero emissions, the investment will also help secure the country’s future energy independence by removing the country’s dependence and price exposure to volatile, global wholesale gas markets, with the deployment of low carbon, affordable, renewable electricity generation.The project will also unlock hundreds of skilled jobs throughout the construction phase and provide a significant economic boost to local and national economies, all while playing a key role in supporting the transition to net zero emissions and helping secure the country’s future energy independence.

Ofgem’s minded-to decision and consultation on the Argyll and Kintyre Final Needs Case can be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/argyll-and-kintyre-project-final-needs-case-consultation.

As a stakeholder led business SSEN Transmission would like to encourage all interested and relevant stakeholders to contribute to this important consultation before the closing date on 15^th of September 2023.

The following chapters and annexes of the Environmental Appraisal have been updated:

• Chapter 8 – Updated noise emission data for proposed plant – no material change to outcome of assessment
• Chapter 10 – To remove reference to replanting at the site (site to be reinstated as bog/mire habitat)
• Annex S – Updated plant noise spectrum and modelling plots

Figures 1b and 2 have also been amended with some minor changes to the proposed temporary access track layout in the vicinity of the existing substation.

A planning application has been submitted by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (operating and known as SSEN Transmission) for detailed planning permission under The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 for the Erection of High Voltage Electricity Substation and Formation of Associated Access, Landscaping, Drainage and Means of Enclosure (the Crarae Substation), approximately 1.6km north west of Minard, Argyll and Bute.

The Proposed substation forms part of SSEN Transmission’s Argyll and Kintyre Strategy and is required to manage the transportation of renewable energy generation from Argyll to the wider electricity network.  The substation would connect into the existing 275 kV Overhead Line (OHL) from Inveraray to Crossaig. An Environmental Appraisal (EA) has been carried out as a non-statutory assessment to allow appropriate environmental management and mitigation measures to be identified. 

If you wish to view the documents relating to this submission you can do so by clicking on the project documents section of this webpage. 

Written comments may be made by e-mail: planning.hq@argyll-bute.gov.uk or Argyll and Bute Council, Development Management, Kilmory Castle, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RT by 24.02.2023.

SSEN Transmission have submitted their application for consent to the Scottish Ministers for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 1989 to install and keep installed approximately 45m of 275 kV overhead line supported on two new steel towers to connect the proposed 275 kV Crarae Substation via downleads to the existing 275kV Inveraray to Crossaig overhead line and to install and keep installed approximately 285m of realigned 275kV overhead line supported with one new steel tower  in the vicinity of the existing 132 kV Crarae Substation. Temporary overhead line diversions with three towers  and temporary overhead line diversions with two towers or masts for a period of no more than three years will also be required, approximately 1.6 km north west of Minard in the Argyll and Bute local authority area.

Any representations on the application may be submitted to Scottish Ministers via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot using reference ECU00004664. All representations should be made such that they are received by Scottish Ministers not later than 30th January 2023 although Scottish Ministers may consider representations received after this date. As a result of a statutory objection from the relevant planning authority, or where Scottish Ministers decide to exercise their discretion to do so, Scottish Ministers can also cause a Public Inquiry (PI) to be held.

Should you wish to view the documents contained within our Section 37 application in full, these are available within the project documents section of this webpage.