Multi-million pound Beauly to Keith electricity network upgrade completed
SSEN Transmission and their delivery partner Balfour Beatty celebrate a job well done as the final section of the Beauly to Keith overhead ine upgrade project is completed, bringing to a close 3 years of hard work.
The Beauly and Keith power line constructed in 1955, forms an integral part of the transmission network in the North of Scotland. In 2018 SSEN Transmission started a full refurbishment of the line, upgrading many of the towers and installing new wires and increasing the amount of electricity the line can carry.
This £64M investment programme has reinforced the network in the region and its upgrade will play a key role in ensuring security of supply, keeping the power flowing for the communities the line serves. The refurbishment has also enabled the connection of 70MW of new solar renewable generation to connect to the grid, supporting the transition to net zero emissions.
The project was comprised of a number of complex elements and has certainly faced its challenges over the last three years. Replacing a total of 204km of overhead line wiring known as conductors, the installation of 3km of 132kV cable at Slackbuie, in Inverness, and 4.8km Balblair. At Beauly, the team successfully completed directional drilling of new ducts under the River Beauly. Finishing with the upgrades to the switches at Beauly and Keith substations and new protection scheme installed.
One of the biggest challenges has been how much the landscape around the line has changed in the 65 years, since the line was built. With new homes and businesses constructed along its route the team had to manage works through the built-up residential areas such as Slackbuie Inverness which now has hundreds of homes and installing new 132kv joints in the existing cables at Elgin, again situated close to a new residential developments. During this phase of the works the team worked closely with the local community, keeping them updated on the works.
The Covid-19 lockdown brought a pause to activities while the project team reviewed working practices and put in new procedures in line with government guidance. Despite the delays caused by the COVID-19 lockdown and adapting to the new ways of working, the team were able to complete the overhead line, cabling and substation works safely and on time.
Andrew Ewing, Project Manager, commented on the completion of the cabling works:
“The construction works have been very challenging; the team have battled some difficult terrain as well as some particularly challenging weather conditions while carrying out the work. Most importantly for me they have met the challenge of upgrading the network whilst maintaining a secure supply of electricity to the communities the line serves.
“I would like to thank the SSEN Transmission Project team and our contract partner Balfour Beatty’s Project team for all their hard work in delivering the project safely, to budget and on programme. It has been a fantastic team effort.”