Rothienorman substation to deliver 60% improvement in biodiversity

The Rothienorman project consists of a new substation and overhead line upgrades, forming part of SSEN Transmission's reinforcement of the transmission network in the North East and East Coast of Scotland. The upgrades are required to facilitate the connection of new renewable generation to the grid, playing a key role in delivering a network for net-zero emissions.

In line with SSEN Transmission’s sustainability credentials, the transmission owner for the north of Scotland has committed to deliver biodiversity net gain on all future projects, leaving a positive lasting legacy for the communities and local biodiversity home to its future assets.

As part of this commitment to biodiversity net gain, SSEN Transmission and its contractors have created habitats on site which will deliver a significant improvement in biodiversity.  This has been done primarily through the planting of native species on the landscape bunding, which will further reduce the visual impact of the substation as well as enhancing the local environment.

Once the landscaping has been completed, SSEN Transmission’s Biodiversity Toolkit’s metric predicts that there will be a 60% net gain of biodiversity units compared to the habitats found on the site before construction.  Boxes have also been added to the site to provide enhancements for bats, birds and insects, with hibernacula features created close to the ponds for amphibians.

Commenting on the success of the biodiversity improvements, Project Manager, Craig Taylor, said:

“When our team started designing the substation they quickly realised we had an excellent opportunity to enhance the biodiversity of the site, in line with our commitments to deliver biodiversity net gain on all future projects.

“With the right people, the right attitude and a bit of innovation, we’ve been able to achieve something special, working closely with our contractors to really enhance the local environment and creating a natural habitat which should allow the local biodiversity to thrive.

“It’s testament to both our own staff and those of our contract partners that we are on track to achieve such a big gain in biodiversity which we are extremely proud of and look forward to replicating this approach on future projects.”