SSEN Transmission has made a Section 37 consent application to Scottish Ministers for the proposed Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV overhead line, allowing people the opportunity to provide feedback to the Scottish Government on the proposals.
The project is a key part of plans to upgrade the electricity transmission network in support of clean power and energy security ambitions.
If consented, the project will deliver significant local and national economic benefits, including around £35m of community benefit funding, alongside underpinning a proposed new operational depot in Caithness, supporting permanent local jobs.
Earlier this month SSEN Transmission announced its intention to submit the application, which is now available to view on the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) website under reference ECU00006008 – please visit https://www.energyconsents.scot/
The ECU is notifying consultation bodies of the timeline and process for them to submit their responses to the application. The separate public consultation period runs until 12th October 2025 – information on how people and community groups can respond is outlined below (see further information section).
A hard copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and supporting documents that form part of the application is also available at the following locations:
- The Highland Council, Thurso Office – Rotterdam Street, Thurso KW14 8AB
- The Highland Council, Dingwall Office – County Buildings, 84 High Street, Dingwall, IV15 9QN
- The Highland Council, Inverness Office – Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX
- Helmsdale Community Centre – Dunrobin Street, Helmsdale KW8 6JX
- Strathpeffer Community Centre – School Road, Strathpeffer, IV14 9AG
The application follows a detailed project development process since 2022, including extensive public consultation that helped inform the final project design alongside key environmental, technical and economic factors.
Ministers are now expected to determine the application within 12 months, in line with the Scottish Government’s new 52-week determination process for priority applications for electricity transmission infrastructure.
During the determination period SSEN Transmission will continue to undertake survey work along the route, to further understanding of ground and environmental conditions ahead of the project.
Further information
Any representations in respect of the application may be submitted by email to the Scottish Government via representations@gov.scot, or by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU.
The Environmental Impact Assessment and supporting documents that accompanies the section 37 application can also be viewed on SSEN Transmission’s dedicated project webpages https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/SLBB