The current line was constructed in three distinct sections between 1956 and 1989 and is now reaching the end of its operational life. Its planned replacement is essential to maintain the security of supply to homes and businesses along its route, as well as to the Western Isles, which is supplied by two subsea cables from Ardmore point.

In addition to keeping the lights on and improving network reliability, the replacement line will also deliver greater network capacity to enable the connection of new renewable energy generation to the transmission network, supporting the transition to a net-zero emissions target.

We consulted on the former project between 2016 and 2018. The scope of this former project was the construction of an additional woodpole transmission line between Fort Augustus and Broadford, and replacement of the existing woodpole transmission line between Broadford and Edinbane. As the project scope has now changed, due to changes in the project need, we have started the project development process again, including our commitment to consult with stakeholders at various stages during the design process.

New overhead lines require consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. Public events and pre-application consultation are not a statutory requirement for Electricity Act applications; however, there is an expectation that pre-application engagement is undertaken for large scale projects. We consider engagement to be important where large scale projects are proposed and for this reason will consult, using a variety of methods, at various stages in the development of this project.

The project team undertook a face to face meeting with key statutory consultees in November 2019 to introduce the changing project need, our strategy for meeting the project needs, and to seek initial feedback on our proposals. We have published a Consultation Document setting out the project need and an overview of the main elements, consideration of the route options, and the next steps in the project development process.

The scope of the project has changed due to the changing project need. As a result, we have started the project development process again, including our commitment to consult with stakeholders at various stages during the design process. This is so we can communicate the changes to our stakeholders, ensuring we gather all valuable feedback to inform the new project scope as we move through the development and design process.

At this stage, we are ensuring the project requirements are fully communicated, as well as consulting on the preferred route for the proposed Skye Reinforcement Project between Fort Augustus substation and Ardmore substation on the Isle of Skye.

Face to Face consultation on the proposal was initially planned to take place in March this year, with seven public engagement events planned in locations along the route for the replacement line. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these events were cancelled. The Scottish Government has recognised online consultation as an acceptable alternative when restrictions on public gatherings are in place. We will be holding face to face events as soon as government restrictions are lifted.

We hope to be holding face to face consultations as soon as government restrictions on social distancing have been lifted.

We will also be holding further consultations as the design develops over the next year. This is to ensure stakeholders have the opportunity to have their say and inform the project as it progresses.

The Highland Council, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Scottish Forestry (SF), ECU, MS

These consultees have various responsibilities to ensure different planning policies and legislation are fully taken account of during the project development process, ensuring the adverse impacts of projects are avoided and/or appropriately mitigated. They also act as consultees/advisers to the Scottish Government, who are the consenting authority for overhead lines.

We have continued to consult in line with Scottish Government advise on public consultation during Covid-19 restrictions. This advice states developers should utilise online media tools, such a virtual consultation rooms, to allow the public to access publicised project-specific information and present questions to the project team.

As a transmission network owner, part of our license is to provide dates to facilitate new energy generators connecting to our network. This forms part of the project need for the Skye Reinforcement works. To allow us to meet agreed connection dates with generation developers, we are unable to pause the project completely due to Covid-19 restrictions as this would adversely impact upon our ability to meet such agreements.

We carry out a range of environmental assessments at different stages in the project development, depending on the environmental sensitivities present. These can include protected species surveys, e.g. birds and otters, habitat surveys, landscape and visual assessments, hydrology, cultural heritage, and proximity to dwellings.

The assessment we have undertaken to date follows our internal guidance which looks to identify the least constrained option, based on a number of environmental, technical and cost issues. This has included, but not limited to, gathering site-specific information on protected species, habitats, hydrology, cultural heritage and proximity to dwellings. As the design progresses, further detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA) work will be carried out to inform the detailed design, including any required mitigation. Undertaken early EIA work prior to finalising design ensures that potential environmental impacts are fully understood and designed out where possible.

SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest - These are areas of land and water that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) considers to best represent our natural heritage - its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms, or a combination of such natural features. SNH designates SSSIs under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. SSSIs are protected by law. It is an offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of an SSSI.

SAC – Special Area of Conversation - protects one or more special habitats and/or species – terrestrial or marine that are listed in the EU Habitats Directive. In Scotland, this means the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 apply, and the Scottish Government will be required to consider the effect of development proposals on the SAC before it can be consented (commonly known as Habitats Regulations Appraisal).

As part of the decision-making process, SHE Transmission has to ensure we are not adversely impacting these sites.

At this stage, our preferred route has been selected based on identifying the least constrained option using a range of environmental, technical and constructability issues, along with initial consultation. We will undertake further detailed assessments, one of which will include biodiversity net gain. At this stage, we are seeking feedback to ensure we take into account a range of views and as such we have indicated that adjustments in the preferred route may be required based on the next design phase. We hope that the public will provide feedback on other issues such as landscape and visual, as well as collecting detailed local knowledge which may also inform our decision making.

A technical assessment has indicated that the current overhead line infrastructure is reaching the end of its operational life and needs to be upgraded to allow for the security of supply and growth in generation demand looking to connect to our network. In order to facilitate this, a new overhead line is proposed.

We have not yet selected the technology at this stage of the consultation. We expect the replacement towers to be around 28m high. The current towers are on average 26m high.

A wood pole line would not have the capacity to carry the energy. Four wood pole lines would need to be constructed to carry the same amount of energy as one steel tower line.

It is acknowledged further detailed environmental and engineering survey work will be required to find an acceptable alignment and design solution through this sensitive landscape and environment, which could result in a review of the preferred route option and or use of appropriate localised mitigation methods, such as underground cable.

Projects which have removed transmission infrastructure in National Parks has been undertaken making use of a fund set up by the energy regulator Ofgem, to mitigate the impact of existing infrastructure that was historically constructed before modern environmental consenting regulations were established. The fund could not specifically be used to finance underground cable works in regard to this project, however, this form of mitigation may be required as the project develops through the consenting process.

The replacement line will have increased generation capacity to facilitate the connection of new renewable energy to connect to the national grid. The line will have a generation capacity of 348MW

Construction of the line is expected to commence in 2023 and complete in December 2025

Once the replacement line is built and energised, we will commence the removal of the existing towers.

We are currently early on in the design phase, determination of the use of existing road networks will follow in the detail design phase. We would seek to limit the interaction with local road networks as far as possible through this phase and present at the next phase of public consultations.

The route of the existing line passes through both woodland and open ground habitats, which are qualifying features of the Special Area of Conservation / SSSI. This route also presents significant technical challenges due to the lack of existing access opportunities and areas of steep slope and ravines. Having undertaken further constructability studies and consultation with statutory consultees, our preferred route at this stage is Option 3A (western extent) and 3B. Further detailed environmental and engineering survey work will be required to find an acceptable alignment and design solution through this sensitive landscape and environment, which could result in a review of the preferred route option. We understand the sensitivities within this area and are working towards detailed design to ensure a balanced approach, which addresses technical and environmental considerations. Landscape and visual aspects in this area are a significant issue. We will be undertaking detailed studies and will be undertaking further consultations with the communities during the design phase.

The works currently underway are essential to secure the supply in the area; we are building a permanent line. However, we expect a rationalisation of existing infrastructure in the future, which may include the dismantling of this woodpole. This will be determined during the detailed design phase.

The new Skye line will terminate within the current Fort Augustus substation. There are no plans to extend the site under this work. The exact route into the substation and technology used will be determined through the detail design phase. At present, the preferred method is using overhead line and following the existing wood pole Skye line.

The exact route into the substation and technology used will be determined through the detail design phase. At present, the preferred method is using overhead line and following the existing wood pole Skye line.