Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park VISTA project gets green light from Ofgem

SSEN Transmission welcomes Ofgem’s decision to approve funding to remove 7.5km of overhead lines and 25 transmission towers from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

The project will see the removal of two sections of 132kv overhead line, undergrounding 4.5km of overhead line from Derrydaroch and Crianlarich near Glen Falloch, and 3km between Sloy Dam and Sloy Power Station.

The investment required to carry out both schemes totals £23.5m and is being funded as part of a £500m scheme administered by the energy regulator, Ofgem. The scheme allows the three GB electricity transmission owners to bid for funding to mitigate the impact of historic electricity infrastructure in National Parks and National Scenic Areas. 

Project Manager, Euan Smith said: 

“We are delighted Ofgem has approved our funding request to remove an additional 25 transmission towers from the Loch Lomond National Park.

“Once complete, the removal of this additional infrastructure will leave a lasting legacy for current and future generations by improving the visual amenity within one of Scotland’s most precious landscapes.

“We would like to thank all of those who have inputted into the development process, the approval from Ofgems follows of three years of close development work with The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and a wide range of stakeholders, representing both statutory and non-statutory organisations.

“It was their wealth of experience and interest in the landscapes under consideration that helped identify the finan lly selected these key areas, and the subsequent approval of the project.”

Work on the project is expected to commence in November 2020 with the work on the undergrounding expected to be completed by Spring 2020.