Overview
Status: Project Refinement
Public Consultation - August 2025
We are holding a statutory pre-application consultation event for our proposed Strathy Switching Station project. The pre-application process is a key first step in the Town and Country planning process for this planning application.
We are presenting our approach to developing the new 132kV Switching Station, required near Strathy in the Highlands of Scotland, to connect several consented and proposed wind farms to the transmission network.
Date and Time: Wednesday 20 August, 3–7pm
Venue: Strathy Village Hall, Strathy West By Thurso, Caithness, Thurso, KW14 7RZ
Our consultation includes information regarding our site selection and design process, the planning process, environmental and engineering considerations and maps. We aim to provide stakeholders and community members with a clearer visual representation of the project's work to date.
About the Project
As Transmission Operator for the north of Scotland, we enable electricity generators to connect to the transmission system by providing their connections which allow the electricity generated to be transported to areas of demand. As such, we are required to provide a connection for for a number of proposed and consented windfarms.
Why is the Project Required?
To facilitate the new grid connections, Strathy Switching Station would be required to collect all incoming circuits onto a double busbar before being re-routed through the steel structure 132kV OHL to Connagill 275/132kV substation.
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
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Public Consultation - August 2025
Project updates
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Public Consultation - August 2025
We are holding a public consultation for the new proposed Switching Station project. During this consultation, we are presenting our approach to developing the 132kV Switching Station.
Our consultation includes information regarding our site selection process and the potential site option being considered, the planning process, environmental and engineering considerations and maps which aim to give stakeholders and community members a better visual representation of the work on the project to date.
We are holding a public consultation for the new proposed Switching Station project. During this consultation, we are presenting our approach to developing the 132kV Switching Station.
Our consultation includes information regarding our site selection process and the potential site option being considered, the planning process, environmental and engineering considerations and maps which aim to give stakeholders and community members a better visual representation of the work on the project to date.
Date & Time: Wednesday 20 August, 3–7pm
Venue: Strathy Village Hall, Strathy West By Thurso, Caithness, Thurso, KW14 7RZ
Stakeholder engagement is vital in shaping our proposals. To do this effectively, we need to capture consultation feedback and harness local knowledge to identify challenges and explore community benefit and opportunities.
We’re therefore requesting views regarding the site selection process, and any thoughts regarding the potential site for the new 132kV Switching Station presented.
Documents
Consultation Documents - August 2025
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STRATHY-SWITCHING-STATION-PAC1-BOOKLET.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 12 August 2025
- Size:
- 13 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the project and was provided during our consultation in August 2025.
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STRATHY-SWITCHING-STATION-Banners.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 12 August 2025
- Size:
- 41.8 MB
This material provides information to our stakeholders about the project and/or consultation events.
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Site Options considered.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 12 August 2025
- Size:
- 3.8 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the site options considered.
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Constraints.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 12 August 2025
- Size:
- 21.7 MB
These maps provide information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within the project, produced 10 June 2025.
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