Overview
Status: Project Refinement
Public Consultation
132kV trident wood H pole arrangement supporting the overhead line running a distance of approximately 8.5km in length between the proposed Slickly wind farm substation and the Gills Bay substation (being proposed and constructed under a separate SSEN-T project). The trident wood pole line will transition to cable via a gantry arrangement located within the Gills Bay substation.
During this consultation, we are presenting our approach to developing the alignment selection. Our consultation includes information regarding our alignment process, 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 and Time: Thursday 4 September, 3–7pm
Venue: Mey Village Hall, Mey, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8XH
The Slickly wind farm substation has been consented by the Developer, who will undertake the construction of the substation platform and electrical infrastructure works to connect the wind farm, including the installation of a single 132/33kV 90MVA transformer and associated control building.
Our electricity network must be upgraded to ensure we can efficiently deliver this renewable energy to homes and businesses across the country.
Stakeholder engagement in the development phase 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 alignment, and we invite all interested parties to attend our public drop-in event to discuss our plans with the project team and share your views.
About the Project
The Slickly Wind Farm Connection comprises a single circuit 132kV trident wood 'H' pole overhead line, running a distance of approximately 8.4km between the proposed Slickly Wind Farm Substation and the Gills Bay Switching Station (being proposed and constructed under a separate project).
The trident line will connect to a cable sealing end compound in the vicinity of the Gills Bay Switching Station, and the final connection will be via a short length of single circuit 132kV underground cable. This arrangement is shown below.
Why is the Project Required?
The Developer, Statkraft UK Ltd. has accepted a transmission connection offer in respect of their wind farm development at Slickly Wind Farm.
As part of our statutory and transmission licence obligations, we have a number of duties including:
- to facilitate competition in the supply and generation of electricity
- to ensure that the security of the network is maintained as the demand and/or generation connections change over time
- the development and maintenance of an efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity transmission
The National Electricity Transmission System Security and Quality of Supply Standard (NETS SQSS) provides the criteria that we must use to plan and design the transmission system. The defined criteria ensures the security of the Main Interconnected Transmission System (MITS).
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
Featured updates
Featured updates for this project
Public Consultation
Project updates
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Public Consultation
132kV trident wood H pole arrangement supporting the overhead line running a distance of approximately 8.5km in length between the proposed Slickly wind farm substation and the Gills Bay substation (being proposed and constructed under a separate SSEN-T project). The trident wood pole line will transition to cable via a gantry arrangement located within the Gills Bay substation.
During this consultation, we are presenting our approach to developing the alignment selection. Our consultation includes information regarding our alignment process, 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 and Time: Thursday 4 September, 3–7pm
Venue: Mey Village Hall, Mey, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8XH
The Slickly wind farm substation has been consented by the Developer, who will undertake the construction of the substation platform and electrical infrastructure works to connect the wind farm, including the installation of a single 132/33kV 90MVA transformer and associated control building.
Our electricity network must be upgraded to ensure we can efficiently deliver this renewable energy to homes and businesses across the country.
Stakeholder engagement in the development phase 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 alignment, and we invite all interested parties to attend our public drop-in event to discuss our plans with the project team and share your views.
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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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Public Consultation Events
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Transmission is holding two consultation exhibitions for the Slickly Wind Farm Connection Project. These consultations are focused on SSEN Transmission’s routing for the new grid connection, using a 132 kV trident wood pole overhead line running a distance of approximately 8.4km in length between the proposed Slickly Wind Farm substation and the proposed Gills Bay switching station. We understand and recognise the value of the feedback provided by members of the public during all engagements and consultations. Without this valuable feedback, the project development team would be unable to progress projects and reach a balanced proposal.
The consultations will be held on:
Wednesday 25th January 2023
At the following locations:
Mey Village Hall, Mey, KW14 8XH
10am – 1pm
John O’ Groats Hall, John O’ Groats, Caithness, KW1 4YR
3pm – 7pm
Documents
Project Documents
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SSEN - Slickly Consultation Booklet - Sept 2025.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 19 August 2025
- Size:
- 2 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the project and was provided during our consultation in September 2025.
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SSEN - Slickly Consultation Banners - Sept 2025 .pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 19 August 2025
- Size:
- 6.1 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the project and was provided during our consultation in September 2025.
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Alignment Comparison Map - Sept 2025.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 19 August 2025
- Size:
- 3.9 MB
This map shows the comparison from the previous preferred alignment to the current proposed alignment.
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Slickly Wind Farm Connection Consultation Booklet August 2023
- Type:
- Date:
- 26 July 2023
- Size:
- 6.9 MB
This material provides information to our stakeholders about the project and/or consultation events.
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Slickly Consultation Document January 2023
- Type:
- Date:
- 23 January 2023
- Size:
- 6 MB
This material provides information to our stakeholders about the project and/or consultation events.
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Slickly Maildrop
- Type:
- Date:
- 11 January 2023
- Size:
- 313.8 KB
This material provides information to our stakeholders about the project and/or consultation events.
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Slickly Wind Farm Connection Consultation Booklet January 2023
- Type:
- Date:
- 11 January 2023
- Size:
- 18.8 MB
This material provides information to our stakeholders about the project and/or consultation events.
FAQs
FAQs
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