Overview
About the Project
We have constructed a new 400/275kV substation adjacent to an existing transmission overhead line, west of the Wood of Middleton, approximately two miles west of the village of Rothienorman.
The substation was first granted planning permission in February 2012, however, due to changing network requirements and in order to accommodate overhead line tie-ins with the substation, there were minor changes made to the proposed site layout. This resulted in us submitting a new planning application in September 2018, which took these changes into consideration. Following a full Aberdeenshire Council meeting on Thursday 17 January 2019, we welcomed the decision from Aberdeenshire Council to proceed with the Rothienorman Substation.
Why is the Project Required?
The substation is required to allow increased generation capacity access to the transmission system, while keeping the network fully operable and compliant with all necessary technical standards. Without these necessary reinforcements, the network cannot facilitate all generation connections.
Establishing a substation at Rothienorman addresses this issue and in effect increases the networks efficiency and capability. Power sharing across these circuits becomes more important as generation load increases on the system.
In this video, Project Manager Arthur Sinakov gives an overview of the excellent progress that continues to be made on site and explains more about Phase 2 of the project, as well as highlighting some of the key components in the project:
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 project and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.
We endeavour to take the time to discuss our proposals with local community councils, Ward Councillors, and the wider affected community and carry out engagement at key stages, listening to feedback before finalising project plans.
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
SSEN Transmission & Balfour Beatty Spread Christmas Cheer
Project teams working on an electricity substation at Rothienorman are helping to spread some Christmas spirit to ensure children most in need can experience some festive magic this Christmas.
Team members from SSEN Transmission and Balfour Beatty came together to buy toys, gifts and selection boxes to donate to Home-Start Garioch, a charity based in Inverurie which helps to support families with young children who are facing difficulties. While their work is important at this time of year, they work hard all year round to provide support to those most in need.
Each year Home-Start Garioch collect Christmas gifts and toys to families who may be struggling, and when the Rothienorman team heard that they were accepting donations, they set about choosing gifts, toys and selection boxes to help out the local community.
Earlier this week Balfour Beatty Engineer Andrew Stewart and SSEN Transmission Construction Manager Stuart Morrison visited Home-Start Garioch’s office in Inverurie to drop off the presents, much to the delight of the Home-Start Garioch team.
2023 Festive Site Closure
Works on site will pause for the 2023 festive period with the site closing from 23 December 2023 until 3 January 2024.
Although the site will be closed for all construction workers during this period, security will remain in place.
Transformer Departures Noticee
SSEN Transmission would like to make you aware of an abnormal load departure from Rothienorman Substation on Wednesday 22nd November and Wednesday 29th November at approximately 10:00am heading to Tealing (north of Dundee).
The convoy will be escorted by Police Scotland and specialist abnormal load escort vehicles. There may be temporary disruption to your journey whilst the convoy is passing through.
The first Super Grid Transformer unit is due to leave Rothienorman site at approximately 10:00am on 22nd of November 2023 via the Black Burn access road, joining onto B992, then following onto A920 and A96 on their way to Keith, then the A95 to Aviemore. It will park up there overnight before making its way to Tealing via the A9 to Perth then onto the A90. The convoy will be escorted by Police Scotland and abnormal load escort vehicles, and will be due to arrive to Tealing area around 10pm on the following day.
The second abnormal load will follow the same route and itinerary on the 29th November.
Rothienorman Substation 400kv Upgrade - Progress Video
Double tap the video to make it full screen.
Festive Period Site Closure
Our Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty’s works at Rothienorman substation will pause for the festive period on Thursday 22nd December until Wednesday 4th January 2023.
Second transformer set to arrive at Rothienorman Substation
Following on from the successful arrival of the first transformer in October, the SSEN Transmission team is gearing up for the delivery of the final transformer to Rothienorman Substation this weekend as part of the second phase of major work at the development.
The next transformer will be delivered on Sunday 13 November and will follow the same format as the first delivery, with specialist haulier Rawcliffe transporting the 130-tonne unit via convoy using a large 12-axle specialist vehicle under the guidance and supervision of Police Scotland. The transformer will depart from Aberdeen Quay at 8am and make its way to Rothienorman substation via the A96, A920 and B992. Due to the size of the transformer, the delivery vehicle will be travelling at a reduced speed for safety, and it is expected the journey will take between three and five hours. No road closures are required to facilitate the movement of the transformers, and vehicles should be able to pass the convoy at regular opportunities on the road network under guidance from Police Scotland, when safe to do so.
In addition to second transformer delivery, starting on 7th of November there will be a need for 24 hour working for three consecutive nights in order to facilitate oil processing works on the recently delivered Super Grid Transformer unit. The requirement for continuous operation is dictated by the oil processing methodology which is dynamic in nature and cannot be stopped or paused without adversely affecting the oil purity and ability to circulate. As such there will be a requirement for flood lighting to be in operation during the dark hours and overnight, in order to provide a safe working environment for the site team. To minimise the light pollution from this activity, the Principal Contractor will be utilising portable tower flood lights rather than the full substation lighting system, this will ensure localised focus of light on the task areas and minimise the visual impact to the surrounding areas.
Transformer Delivery Update - October 2022
Rothienorman Substation - April 2022 Update
Deer fence Installation at Rothienorman
Rothienorman substation reaches major milestone with Phase One of the development complete
Environmental management video
Double click the image to view in full screen
Rothienorman Substation Upgrade - Progress Video June 2021
June 2021 Update
April 2021 Update
C46 Road Closure
November 2020 Update
June 2020 Update
April 2020 Update
Transformer Oil Installation
Rothienorman Transformer Delivery
Ecology Class at Fisherford Primary
Community Engagements at Rothienorman Substation
Black Burn Bridge Planning Permission Withdrawn
Good progress at our Rothienorman site
Temporary Road Closures
Planning Consent
Construction Timelines
Planning Application Submitted
Pre-Application Feedback Closed
Project Documents
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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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rothienorman-transformer-ad.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 302.5 KB
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ssen-rothienorman-event-a0-boards-21616-stage-3.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.5 MB
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ssen-rothienorman-event-a4-poster-21616-artwork.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 1 MB
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