Investment in pylon route will be ‘major catalyst’ for north economy

SSEN Viewpoint by Rebecca Gay

Since last week we have been holding a further series of public engagement events for our new 400kV overhead line between Spittal and Beauly, presenting our final alignment plans for the development of the route.

Over the last two years we have spoken with communities and stakeholders to develop proposals that seek to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective, while taking account of the views of local people with whom we have consulted extensively throughout the development of the project proposal.

This has led to modifications to the overhead line route, where we have made changes as a result of a consultation process where we have welcomed over 2000 people to 38 consultation events, and received over 1400 pieces of feedback.

The overhead line forms part of a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain that is required to deliver clean power and energy security ambitions. Alongside delivering clean energy to homes and businesses across the country, these investments will alleviate grid constraints and act as a major catalyst for economic growth across the north of Scotland – adding billions of value to the economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs.

The need for these projects has been independently assessed and recommended by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), approved by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem, and fully endorsed by the UK government as part of its Clean Power Action Plan.

As the transmission network operator for the north of Scotland, based in Perth, we are required by our licence to deliver this work, which is driven by the fundamental need to secure our future energy independence and energy security through the deployment of homegrown, clean power.

These investments are also helping protect the environment for ourselves and future generations, as part of a global effort to address the threat posed to the planet by climate change.

This principle is a key part of our project development process, where we strictly adhere to environmental policies and regulations to minimise impacts on local, national and international designated environmentally protected areas. In the north of Scotland, this includes areas such as the Unesco-recognised Flow Country which itself plays a globally important role in the fight against climate change.

From the outset, our specialist team recognised its Unesco World Heritage Site candidacy, leading to changes to our proposed overhead line route to avoid direct impacts on the Flow Country. This emphasis on minimising environmental impacts is reinforced by our commitment to deliver a minimum 10 per cent Biodiversity Net Gain on all our proposed projects, including compensatory planting for any trees felled during the construction phase, wherever possible with native species.

A key component of the Spittal to Beauly overhead line project is our proposed Banniskirk Hub, comprising a new 400kV substation and HVDC converter station, where we have incorporated several features to the project design to reduce its impact on the local environment.

The area of the site containing electricity infrastructure will cover only approximately one-third of the site’s temporary footprint, with the majority of the permanent site over and above the substation and converter station featuring landscaping and planting that will provide screening and help reduce its visual impact.

While extensive ground investigation works haven’t identified any significant areas of peat within the proposed development, any peat removed through the construction phase will be reinstated.

A 3D visualisation portal is available on our project website that provides an accurate visual representation of the site from various points in the surrounding countryside, demonstrating efforts to soften its appearance – we encourage people to visit the website and see these efforts for themselves.

Looking more broadly at the economic impact of our projects, these will deliver benefits to the local economy through supply chain activity and opportunities for businesses, including proposals to develop a new operational depot in the area that will house permanent members of staff, supporting the local economy for future generations.

This underlines our commitment to Caithness as a key contributor to national clean energy and energy security ambitions.

Other benefits will include a share of what is expected to be over £100 million in community benefit funding for communities across the north of Scotland, through our current £20bn investment in transmission infrastructure. In addition, discussions are ongoing with the local authority and housing providers regarding workforce accommodation, including the potential to develop legacy housing as part of our pledge to support the delivery of 1000 new homes across the north of Scotland.

These benefits, aligned to our efforts to ensure the least possible impact on the local environment while delivering on the need for these projects, demonstrate our commitment to delivering a reliable clean energy network that works for communities, the country and our planet.

We are committed to ongoing dialogue with the local community regarding these projects, and our current round of public engagement events offers another opportunity for people to engage with our staff directly. Alternatively, our dedicated community liaison manager can be contacted at slbb@sse.com

• Rebecca Gay is a senior development project manager for SSEN Transmission.

Related news:

• Call for investigation amid fears energy schemes will ‘irreversibly scar the Highlands’

• UK government ‘promises’ Highland communities a share of the billions from renewable energy projects

• ‘How long before we are forced out of our homes?’ Residents face ‘major anxiety’ over Banniskirk Hub

• Banniskirk Hub offers ‘best balance from environmental and technical perspective’

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