- Project key to unlock homegrown low-carbon power, part of a wider programme of transmission upgrades across Great Britain required to support clean power and energy security targets
- Will deliver significant local and national economic benefits, including around £35m of community benefit funding, alongside underpinning proposed new operational depot in Caithness, supporting local jobs
- Notification of intention to submit consent application part of Scottish Government’s new guidance for priority transmission applications and 52-week determination process
SSEN Transmission, the Perth-headquartered electricity transmission network owner for the north of Scotland, has today started the process of notifying key stakeholders of its intention to submit its Section 37 overhead line consent application for the proposed Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV overhead line project within the next two weeks.
The project is a key component of SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme, where it expects to invest at least £22bn in the period to March 2031. It is part of a wider renewal of the electricity transmission system across Great Britain that is required to enable the homegrown low-carbon electricity needed to deliver UK and Scottish clean power and energy security targets. The project need has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator, Ofgem.
The forthcoming submission of the Section 37 consent application to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit will mark the culmination of a detailed development process since 2022, during which time SSEN Transmission has carried out one of the biggest public consultation exercises the north of Scotland has ever seen.
Over 50 consultation events and public meetings have taken place to help inform the development of the new proposed overhead line, which also includes three new substations near Spittal (Banniskirk), Loch Buidhe (Carnaig), and Beauly (Fanellan).
New HVDC Convertor Stations are also planned at both Banniskirk and Fanellan which are required as part of the proposed Spittal-Peterhead and Western Isles-Beauly HVDC subsea links.
Alongside the consideration of stakeholder feedback throughout the development phase, SSEN Transmission has also sought to balance key environmental, technical and economic considerations, in line with its regulatory licence and legislative obligations. This includes minimising impacts on various environmental constraints, such as designations, and key cultural heritage assets along its route.
Minimising community impacts and seeking to avoid close proximity to residential properties has also been a key priority throughout the development phase.
Alison Hall, Director of Development for SSEN Transmission, said:
“The forthcoming submission of our consent application for the Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV overhead line project marks a key milestone in delivering UK and Scottish Government energy targets, unlocking the homegrown low-carbon electricity generation required to help deliver a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity system for current and future generations.
“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and nationally, including our ambitious housing legacy commitments, community benefit funding proposals and workforce expansion plans, delivering a transformational and lasting legacy in the local communities we serve.
“Throughout the development of the project we have undertaken one of the most extensive public consultations the north of Scotland has even seen, and we would like to thank all stakeholders who have worked with our teams to provide constructive feedback which has been instrumental in helping shape our proposals.
“We now look forward to the Scottish Government’s timely determination of this critical national infrastructure development, in line with its new 52-week determination process for priority applications for electricity transmission infrastructure.”
Unlocking local benefits, supporting jobs and delivering economic growth
The proposed new Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV transmission line forms a key part of SSEN Transmission’s plans to invest at least £22bn in the period until March 2031, potentially rising to £31.7bn. It represents one of the largest ever private investment programmes in Scotland and will act as a major driver of jobs and economic growth across the country.
Economic analysis, which has been independently peer reviewed by leading consultancy, BiGGAR Economics, forecast that, if delivered in full, the potential £31.7bn total investment could support up to 17,500 jobs in Scotland, including 8,400 in the north of Scotland. It would also add up to £7bn in value to the Scottish economy, including £3bn in the north of Scotland.
Following the publication of the UK Government’s Community Benefit Guidance for new electricity transmission infrastructure, over £100m of community benefit funding is expected across the north of Scotland, with the 173km Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly overhead line alone expected to deliver around £35m of community benefit funding, with each substation and convertor station along its route generating a further £530k.
SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme is also expected to support the development of at least 1,000 new homes across the north of Scotland, 400 of which are expected in the Highlands, creating a legacy in the communities that will host construction workers by delivering housing that will support local need once projects are completed.
Reflecting the significant expansion of the transmission network planned across the north of Scotland, SSEN Transmission continues to grow its workforce, which has increased from around 400 in 2019 to over 2,500 today, with a series of new operational depots planned.
This includes a new depot in the Caithness area, which will support 20 permanent roles in the area, making an important long-term contribution to the local economy and helping reverse population decline in the area.
Priority Applications for Transmission Infrastructure guidance
In line with the Scottish Government’s new guidance for priority applications for transmission infrastructure, which sets out a 52-week determination period, SSEN Transmission should notify key stakeholders ahead of the formal submission of the Section 37 consent application, which is expected to be submitted within the next two weeks.
Following processing by the Scottish Government the detailed consent application and associated Environmental Impact Assessment will be published on both the Energy Consents Unit and SSEN Transmission websites, with paper copies available to review at key locations along its route.
Formal statutory notices will then be published in local and national media, setting out the locations where paper copies of the Section 37 application will be available to view, which will also be published on SSEN Transmission’s website and shared with stakeholders signed up for project updates.
The Scottish Government will then undertake a period of public consultation as part of its determination of this critical national infrastructure, with a consent decision expected within 52-weeks.