Overview
Status: Operational Phase
About the Project
The Lairg - Loch Buidhe Reinforcements of electricity transmission assets comprise the following elements:
New Lairg Substation (Dalchork)
Construct a new outdoor 132kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation north of Lairg, adjacent to the existing 132kV single circuit overhead line.
Lairg to Loch Buidhe Overhead Line
Construct approximately 17km of 132kV double circuit overhead line (61 towers) between the proposed new Lairg Substation and the Loch Buidhe Substation on a new alignment.
Loch Buidhe Substation
The installation of an access track and small compound to the north of the existing main substation which allows the overhead line to change to a cable and then routed into the existing main substation.
Lairg Grid Supply Point
Minor works required to upgrade the existing plant.
Cassley Grid Supply Point (Overscraig)
Minor works required to upgrade the existing plant.
Lairg to Shin Overhead Line
Dismantle approximately 12km of existing 132kV overhead line between the existing Lairg Grid Supply Point and Shin Substation (Inveran).
Find Out More About Loch Buidhe 132kV Substation
Construction Works
Dalchork Substation Construction Phase 1
The substation package of works has been awarded to Balfour Beatty. Construction of the substation will be from July 2020 - May 2022 with phase 1 between July 2020 and June 2021. The main civil construction works will include the following:
- 1100m of access track 5.0m to the planned substation platform;
- 450m of public road widening A836 from the junction of A838;
- Contractor Compound and laydown – 600m from the public road;
- Perimeter stock fencing;
- Underground of the existing 11kV wood pole along the access road;
- Construct a 270m by 160m wide platform;
- Technique cut fill – reduces import of aggregates;
- Construction of a single-story Control Building;
- Installation of site services:
- Drainage
- Cable routes - power and control
- Potable water [Scottish Water]
- Mains Power Supply [SHEPD DNO]
- Earthing grid
- Installation of internal roads;
- Installation of site palisade fencing;
- Installation of reinforced concrete foundations
Dalchork Substation Construction Phase 2 and 3
- Phase 2 Main HV electrical equipment installation March 2021 – Dec 2021
- Installation of HV equipment structures
- Installation of HV equipment
- Installation of cabling
- Installation of control systems in Control Building
- Phase 3 Commissioning stage Nov 2021- May 2022
- Commissioning of installed equipment
- Testing of installed equipment
- Go live
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Overhead Line Works
A contract has been awarded to Wood Group for the overhead line works including a new double-circuit tower line to Loch Buidhe of 61 towers. The construction of the overhead line works will commence in September 2020, and last until May 2022.
Phase 1 of the works will consist of the following elements:
- Constructing access tracks to Tower locations;
- Form a contractor compound circa 1500m of A836;
- Construct a new access track from Loch Laro north towards A839 [Rogart road] with imported stone.
Overhead line works Phase 2 & 3
Phase 2 – Tower foundations and Tower erecting
- Install reinforced concrete tower foundations
- Erect steel lattice towers
Phase 3 – Install conductors
- Install wires from tower to tower
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Loch Buidhe Remote End Works
The Loch Buidhe works have been awarded to Balfour Beatty as part of the main Dalchork contract. Construction programme for this section was January 2021 – May 2022. The works included:
Civil works
- Contractor compound establishment at the existing main substation
- Access track off the existing track to a stone platform with imported stone
- Construction a stone platform with imported stone
- Install cable ducts from the stone platform to the existing substation
- Install 40no+ small reinforced concrete foundations in the existing substation
Electrical Works April 2021 – Dec 2021
- Install 2no cable circuits from CSE platform compound to the existing substation
- Installation of HV equipment structures
- Installation of HV equipment
- Installation of cabling
- Installation of control systems in Control Building
Commissioning stage Nov 2021- May 2022
- Commissioning of installed equipment
- Testing of installed equipment
- Go live
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.
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
Project updates
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We're here to lend a helping hand
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.
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Project update - January 2023
The Lairg – Loch Buidhe project will connect renewable energy to the transmission network and includes a new Lairg Substation (Dalchork) and approximately 17km of overhead line (OHL) between the new Lairg substation (Dalchork) and the Loch Buidhe substation on a new alignment.
Minor works are to be completed at Lairg Grid Supply Point (GSP) and Casley GSP to reconfigure the network from April 2023 to August 2023 and the removal of the existing OHL between the existing Lairg Grid Supply Point (GSP) and the Shin Substation (Inveran) is programmed to start mid-July 2023 through to September 2023
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Lairg Loch Buidhe
Work is nearing completion at the new Dalchork substation in Lairg, work on the overhead line will continue with the removal of the Cassley Shin currently programmed for spring 2023. -
Public Road Improvements (PRI) at Dalchork
Work is underway on PRI works at the entrance to the new substation at Dalchork. Traffic management will be in place for eight weeks to protect the workforce while they undertake this work. The traffic lights are only in operation from 07:30 to 18:30 Monday to Friday. -
Community Liaison Group - Initial Meeting
SSEN Transmission is calling on Lairg-Loch Buidhe residents to joinits Community Liaison Group (CLG), to provide their input duringconstruction of the new substation and replacement overhead line.The CLG will consist of key members of SSEN Transmission’s projectteam, including the Project Manager, Site Manager, and CommunityLiaison Manager, and we are looking for eight members of the localcommunity to join them. If you are interested in being a part of the CLG, or want to learn more about it, please come along to the initial meeting taking place on-Tuesday 28th January 202018:30 – 19:30Lairg Community CentreAt the meeting we will agree the group membership, set out the parameters of the CLG, agree the Terms of Reference and discuss the frequency and timings of future meetings. -
Decision Notice for Dalchork Substation
https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=PM32S4IHLUP00 -
Project Update November 2017
Following on from the public meeting attended in February 2017 when we talked about the preferred route there has been a review of the generation background in the Lairg area within Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. The preferred project reinforcement option to progress changed from a 275kV to a 132kV overhead line circuit and in June 2017 we updated the community and website to reflect this. Over the past ten months, we have been revising the design, and we are now in a position to hold a public consultation event on 6 December 2017 at Lairg Community Centre to share this information and seek feedback on the project. We would encourage members of the community to come along to see the revised alignment and reduction in the tower size and substation footprint and speak to the project team. -
Project Update
An internal review of the generation background in the Lairg area within Scottish and Southern Energy Networks has been ongoing. The preferred project reinforcement option to progress has changed from a 275kV to a 132kV overhead line circuit - this change will require a revised design and potential changes tower height, locations and numbers. Once a revised design is available a further public consultation event will be held to share with the community. -
Project Update
We can confirm that options to reinforce the network between Lairg and Loch Buidhe remain under review. The review is being undertaken following a change to the amount of generation contracted to be connected to the network. The review will assess the optimum technical solution to deliver the necessary capacity to accommodate the need of all network users . -
Lairg Map
At the most recent meeting with Dr Paul Monaghan MP and members of the local community, our project team explained that we are currently carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment on the proposed transmission reinforcement. This includes continuing consideration of design options which could offer potential to avoid, reduce or mitigate impacts identified – including landscape and visual impacts. As agreed at the meeting, we have published a map showing the latest iteration of the current design proposal, including indicative tower positions. This is not the final design proposal and will be reviewed in light of the findings of our continuing work. Please go to 'Project Documentation' to download. -
Public Meeting
A public meeting will take place at Lairg Community Centre on Wed 5 October at 7.00pm, to further discuss the Lairg to Loch Buidhe 275kV overhead line and associated substation with the local community.
Documents
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lairg-loch-buidhe-clg-an-introduction-june-2019.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
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- 50.3 KB
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news.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 727.7 KB
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ssen-lairg-loch-buidhe-bimonthly-newsletter-august-2021-25233-artwork-digital-003.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 2.2 MB
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ssen-lairg-loch-buidhe-bimonthly-newsletter-june-and-july-2021.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.6 MB
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ssen-lairg-loch-buidhe-bimonthly-newsletter-october-2021-25483-digital-004.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.7 MB
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ssen-lairg-loch-buidhe-newsletter-dec-2020.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 227.6 KB
FAQs
FAQs
People/Local Businesses
Lisa Marchi
Community Liaison Manager
- Email: lisa.marchi@sse.com
- Telephone: 07825 015509
- Address: 10 Henderson Road, Inverness, IV1 1SN
Balfour Beatty
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- Address: www.balfourbeatty.com
Gow Groundworks, Halkirk
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- Address: www.gowgroundworks.co.uk
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