Argyll electricity transmission line wins outstanding project prize at prestigious awards

• SSEN Transmission teams take home prize for Outstanding Project at Scottish Green Energy Awards for Inveraray to Crossaig Electricity Transmission Reinforcement Project

SSEN Transmission teams are celebrating after taking home the top prize for Outstanding Project at the prestigious Scottish Green Energy Awards for their Inveraray to Crossaig electricity transmission reinforcement project in Argyll.

The Inveraray to Crossaig Project was built to replace the existing 132kV line, originally built in the 1950s, which was reaching the end of its operational life.  Now fully energised, its replacement is one of the transmission network’s main arteries in the west of Scotland, connecting 600MW of new renewable projects in the region.

This complex engineering project has taken more than 1.5 million people-hours to date to deliver, with a workforce of more than 300 at the peak of construction.  Almost 270 new overhead line towers were erected along the 52-mile route.

The Scottish Green Energy Awards celebrate the very best of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, and the winners were revealed at a dedicated awards ceremony at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on Thursday evening.

SSEN Transmission Project Director Keith Inglis said:

“Winning the Outstanding Award for the Inveraray to Crossaig Project is a fantastic achievement, and is really testament to the years of dedication, expertise and hard-work from our teams as well as our delivery partners, Balfour Beatty and Scottish Woodlands, to make this project such a success.

“This complex project is one of the most significant upgrades to the transmission network in the region since its original construction during the 1950s, and fully energising the line as planned earlier this year ensures a secure supply of electricity to the communities the line serves whilst also supporting the transition to net zero emissions and a low carbon-based economy.

“Teams worked together to find solutions to deliver the project safely through some difficult challenges, including the start of construction during the pandemic and working across some highly technical, remote, and challenging terrain and conditions brought in by the Argyll weather. 

“I’m immensely proud of the team for being awarded Most Outstanding Project, which underlines the years of dedication and hard work and the significance of this project in helping to create a network for net zero.”

The Inveraray to Crossaig project was constructed in two phases.  The first phase – Inveraray to Port Ann – was energised in July 2021, with the second phase – Port Ann to Crossaig – energised this summer.   The replacement line, which stretches a total of 52 miles across both phases, serves as the main arterial route for electricity transmission in Argyll, keeping the lights on for homes and businesses throughout the Peninsula.

Building a project of this size brought significant benefit to the local economy.  Teams across both Phase 1 and 2 of the Inveraray to Crossaig project contributed significantly to the £7 million spent by SSEN Transmission and their contractors on food and accommodation in the Argyll and Bute Council area since April 2020.

Teams worked to engage with stakeholders and the local community throughout the project to keep them informed of its progress, and will continue to keep them updated on the final remaining reinstatement work due to be completed by the end of this year.

To see the full list of winners from the Scottish Green Energy Awards visit:  https://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/195-sgea23/categories

To learn more about the Inveraray to Crossaig project visit:  https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/inveraray---crossaig/