North East 400kV Upgrade
- Type
- Transmission reinforcement
- Rating
- 400kV
- Location
- Aberdeenshire, Highland, Moray
Overview
Status: Construction Phase
Stage 4 of 5 complete — This is the stage where we mobilise our people, contractors and equipment. The project is well underway at this point.
About the Project
We are reinforcing the existing 275kV overhead line connecting the substations at Blackhillock, Keith, Kintore and Peterhead to enable operation at an increased voltage of 400kV.
The reinforcement works would involve replacing the insulators and fittings on the existing towers, as well as reconfiguring a short section of the overhead line to divert it out of Keith substation. The works may also include replacing the existing conductors strung along the overhead line route, depending on the outcome of condition assessments which are currently underway.
Why is the Project Required?
These reinforcement works are required to allow increased generation capacity to the transmission system, while keeping the network fully operable and compliant with all necessary technical standards. Without these necessary reinforcements, required in conjunction with projects at Rothienorman, New Deer and Peterhead, the existing network cannot facilitate all required generation connections in the north east of Scotland.
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.
Project Updates
Update December 2022
We have now completed all our Overhead Line works between Blackhillock, Rothienorman and Peterhead. This has involved replacing all the insulators, fittings, and conductors on the existing towers. Several tower foundations have also been upgraded and the diversion of the OHL out of Keith substation in now complete. For Q1 in 2023, works will be focused on removal of redundant towers, plant, and equipment at Keith substation, and reinstatement works along the OHL route. Later in the year, we will carry out some modifications to existing equipment, and removal of associated redundant towers, plant, and equipment within Blackhillock Substation.
If you have any questions in relation to the project please contact the Community Liaison Manager Dav Lynch (dav.s.lynch@sse.com).
April 2022 Update
June 2021 Update
Planning Application Determination
Virtual Consultation Feedback
Mailing Error
Virtual Consultation Events
Section 37 Additional Information Submitted
Planning Application Submitted
Feedback Period Open
North East Consultation Events
Project Documents
Next steps for Pathway to 2030 network developments
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The challenges with undergrounding at 400kV
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 347.9 KB
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How has the need for Pathway to 2030 projects been assessed and determined
- Type:
- Date:
- 14 November 2023
- Size:
- 5.1 MB
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SSEN Transmission sets out next steps for 2030 network developments .pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 11 October 2023
- Size:
- 122.3 KB
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400kv-line-upgrade-poster-final.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 131.5 KB
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blackhillockkeithmacduff-132kv-ohl-reinformcement.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 774.2 KB
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north-east-400kv-eastern-reinforcements-nov-2019.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 4.5 MB
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north-east-400kv-leaflet-no-bc-002.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 672.6 KB
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north-east-400kv-ohl-upgrade-booklet-oct-2020.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 3.3 MB
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ssen-north-east-400kv-reinforcement-12pp-booklet-stage-1.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 1017.6 KB
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ssen-north-east-ohl-042764-new-form-str-24-ds-formulate-straight-24-stage-1.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 438.2 KB
Project Gallery
Project FAQs
FAQs
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Latest Links
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Report on Consultation
Our Reports on Consultation across our three new overhead line projects and associated substation and convertor station developments have now been published. These reports provide a summary of the extensive feedback received during consultation, how this has been considered and confirmation of which routes and substations are now being taken forward to the next stage of development.
Our Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab.
Summary Reports on Consultation are also available for each of the three schemes and can be downloaded below:
- Summary Report on Consultation Spittal to Beauly
- Summary Report on Consultation Beauly to Peterhead
- Summary Report on Consultation Kintore to Tealing
A stakeholder webinar available for all to join will be held in the coming weeks to share the changes informed by the feedback. More information about the forthcoming webinar will be shared on our events page shortly.
In further recognition of community feedback, we will seek to rationalise cumulative infrastructure impacts through the removal and undergrounding of existing transmission lines, where technically practical and appropriate, and subject to all necessary planning consents and landowner agreements.
Work to identify and assess potential sections of existing overhead line where their removal will reduce cumulative impacts is ongoing, with an update expected as part of the next round of public consultation on overhead line alignments and more detailed substation designs in early 2024.
We would once again like to thank all stakeholders who took the time to engage with our early consultation process. We will continue to engage with stakeholders ahead of consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine our proposals.
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Report on Consultation
Over the course of this year, we have undertaken extensive consultation on plans to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland and have received a considerable amount of feedback from a wide range of stakeholders regarding our proposals.
We recently advised in our next steps for 2030 network developments update that following assessment of consultation feedback and additional options analysis, we would publish our Report on Consultations (RoCs). These reports provide a summary of the feedback received and how it has been considered, which options we will take forward to the next stage of the development process and any changes to options initially consulted on.
It is our intention to publish the RoCs during the week commencing 27 November. All stakeholders signed up for updates on the project will receive a link to the report and we will also issue Summary Reports to help ensure accessibility.
These Report on Consultations mark the completion of the first round of non-statutory consultation, where we sought feedback on the corridor, route, and substation locations. We will be consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine the projects, therefore we welcome an open channel of communication and would like to reassure all stakeholders that there will be further opportunities to engage on this project.
Our Reports on Consultation and Summary Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab. -
SSEN Transmission sets out next steps for Pathway to 2030 network developments
We have announced our next steps for our Pathway to 2030 programme of projects. We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with our teams and kindly taken the time to respond to our consultations.
Full details of the announcement can be found here:
Next steps for Pathway to 2030