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 the latest progress on the Creag Dhubh to Inveraray Overhead Line (OHL) project, which continues to advance through its construction phase.

Crarae

Outage works at Crarae are ongoing, with tower assembly nearing completion. The final two towers are expected to be fully assembled by first week in November, marking a significant milestone in this section of the project.

Crossaig

Outage works are also underway at Crossaig, where tower assembly is about to start. Teams are currently focused on erecting the in line tower, with safety and efficiency remaining top priorities.

Access Improvements

Installation of a new bellmouth and access tracks to the main line is ongoing. These improvements are essential for facilitating safe and reliable access for construction teams and equipment, while also minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment.

We appreciate the continued support and patience of the local community as we work to deliver this critical infrastructure upgrade. If you have any questions relating to this project please get in touch with the project Community Liaison Manager

The Creag Dhubh to Inveraray OHL project forms part of a strategy to upgrade the capacity of the main electricity transmission network across Argyll and Kintyre from 132kV to 275kV operation. This project will involve the Construction of a 9km 275kV OHL between Creag Dhubh substation and Inveraray. The existing 132kV overhead line between Inveraray and Creag Dhubh substation, which was built in the 1960s will be removed once the new lines are fully commissioned.

With all Section 37 pre-commencement conditions now discharged, our delivery partner Wood and local suppliers A&L McCrae will upgrade existing access tracks and extend the track network in preparation for foundation and tower assembly works that are expected to begin in the coming months. The Creag Dhubh to Inveraray OHL connection is forecast to be substantially complete by 2028.

The start of construction marks the latest step in progress on the wider upgrade to the transmission network in Argyll and Kintyre, which also includes five new 275kV substations.

With work well underway on the new substations, the start of construction on the OHLs is a significant step towards completion of the overall project, that will enable the growth in renewable energy generation in Argyll whilst strengthening local supply to homes and business. 

If you have any questions relating to this project don't hesistate to contact the project community liaison manager - caitlin.quinn@sse.com

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.

Consent granted for Creag Dhubh to Inveraray 275kV overhead line connection project

Scottish Ministers have now granted Section 37 consent for the construction of a new approx. 9km 275kV overhead electricity transmission line between Creag Dhubh and Inveraray. This is the final major consenting decision required to finalise preparatory works on SSEN Transmission’s Argyll and Kintyre 275kV upgrade prior to the commencement of main construction works.

With the original transmission network in Argyll and Bute being constructed over 60 years ago and designed to transmit electricity to consumers in rural areas of low-density population, the Creag Dhubh to Inveraray project is part of a wider strategy to upgrade the capacity of the main electricity transmission network across Argyll and Kintyre from 132kV to 275kV, which is crucial in enabling the growth in renewable energy across the region and ensuring security of supply.

The Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy is a key element of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme, a £20bn investment that will support thousands of jobs and provide a major boost to local and national economies.

We now look forward to working with the local community and progressing the project in a timely manner, as we look to discharge planning conditions ahead of commencing construction. 

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.

We would like to provide an update on our Section 37 applications for the Creag Dhubh to Inveraray 275kV overhead line project. Any representations on the application may be submitted to Scottish Ministers via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot using reference ECU000003442. All representations should be made such that they are received by Scottish Ministers not later than 13th March 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.

SSEN Transmission have submitted an application to the Scottish Ministers for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to install a 275kV overhead line (OHL) between the proposed Creag Dhubh substation at OS Grid Reference NN 08780 19419 and the recently constructed Inveraray-Crossaig 275kV capable OHL circuit at OS Grid Reference NN 07970 11178. The total length of the line will be approximately 9km plus associated connections. The proposed development has been subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). An EIA Report has been produced to accompany the application for consent.

SSEN Transmission has also applied for a direction under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 that planning permission for the development be deemed to be granted.

Route Update – March 2022

In July 2021, we held virtual public consultations to share information and seek feedback on our proposals to build a new 275kV overhead line to replace the existing 132kV overhead line between Inveraray switching station and the proposed Creag Dhubh substation.

The project is part of the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy, which is a group of projects designed to deliver an increase in network capability to enable the connection of further renewable generation and to export energy to the wider GB network.

Following our consultation in 2021 and the feedback received, we selected Route Option D/E as the preferred Route. The project then moved into the Alignment stage where we determine the proposed location of the overhead line within the selected route corridor.

During the alignment stage, more detailed survey work and discussions with landowners and the Ministry of Defence revealed that Route Option D/E was not suitable as it passes through an area that posed a high risk from unexploded ordinance (UXO). Route Option B will be taken forward as the preferred Route as of the original route options considered this was the least constrained from an environmental, technical and cost perspective and avoids the area of high UXO risk.

We continue to work to develop this project and we will be holding a public consultation in May 2022 where we will be seeking feedback on the Preferred Alignment within Route Option B.