Teams begin preparation work at Creag Dhubh electricity substation near Cladich

Preparatory works for a new electricity substation at Creag Dhubh south of Cladich, Argyll, are set to begin this week.

Creag Dhubh substation is one of five substations to be built as part of SSEN Transmission’s Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Reinforcement Project. 

The existing electricity transmission network in Argyll and Kintyre was built over 60 years ago and now needs upgrading.   SSEN Transmission’s Argyll & Kintyre 275kV Reinforcement Project will upgrade and reinforce the electricity transmission network on the Argyll peninsula, ensuring security of electricity supply while providing the capacity necessary to allow renewable energy to connect to the transmission network, supporting the UK’s transition to net zero emissions.

Creag Dhubh substation will also connect into the existing 132kV infrastructure, providing further resilience to the existing electricity transmission network in Argyll.

Planning consent for the new Creag Dhubh substation was awarded in February 2023. The main contract for the works has been awarded to Siemens BAM JV.

SSEN Transmission Project Manager Lee Biddulph said:  “We are looking forward to beginning the first phase of site preparatory works at the new Creag Dhubh substation site, which involves the mobilisation of construction plant to start preparing the area to accommodate workers and implementing site specific mitigation measures to protect the environment. This is key to setting the project up to be ready to begin the main construction of the substation platform later this year.

“Creag Dhubh Substation is part of the wider Argyll & Kintyre 275kV Reinforcement Project, which will help create an upgraded electricity transmission network in the area and support the increase in new renewable energy generation across the region.  

“These works are in the early stages and we’ll endeavor to keep the local community and stakeholders updated as the project progresses.   We’ll work to minimise the impact of these works which will help support the UK and Scottish Government climate targets, which are critical to helping us reach energy security and net zero emissions.”

Learn more about the project here:  https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/creag-dhubh-substation/