Port Ann to Crossaig project edges closer to completion as SSEN Transmission constructs the final steel tower

After 21 months of hard work, 2,885 tonnes of steel, and 9,500 cubic metres of concrete, SSEN Transmission and their delivery partner, Balfour Beatty, erected the last of the 148 steel transmission towers on the Port Ann to Crossaig overhead line project.

The transmission towers will initially operate at 132kV with the capacity to increase to 275kV to accommodate future connection of offshore and onshore generation. This marks a significant milestone for the project team who have overcome many challenges to deliver this nationally significant project.

Work on the project began in May 2021, with teams working to fell the new corridor for the overhead line and installing over 100km of temporary and permanent access tracks.  Construction of the towers began in October 2021, beginning first with the tower foundations.  The towers were assembled in sections at ground level and lifted into place using a mobile crane to fix them into position. 

SSEN Transmission Project Manager, Peter Brum, said:  “On a project of this scale you are always working towards the next major milestones, but for me seeing the final tower top being lifted into place, that’s one of the most significant.

“This project traverses some of Scotland’s most rugged landscape, so reaching this milestone has been no mean feat and worth taking a moment to celebrate.

“We would like to thank the communities along the route for their continued patience and understanding as we work as safely and efficiently as possible to deliver this critical piece of national infrastructure which, once complete, will be powering homes and businesses in the region for many decades to come.”

The new Port Ann to Crossaig overhead line is part of SSEN Transmission’s multi-million pound programme of investments in the region, upgrading and replacing the network, much of which was built in the 1950’s, strengthening the power supply for those living and working in the area and helping to reduce the impact of the severe weather events.  Once complete the project will help to strengthen one of the transmission network’s main arteries in the west of Scotland, making it one of the most significant electricity network investments in the region in decades.

The project team will now focus on completing the installation of the remaining overhead wiring. Using a combination of helicopters and large conductor pulling machinery, over 75% of the overhead line wires have already been installed, and the remaining wiring will be completed by early summer.

The project is the second phase in the wider Inveraray to Crossaig powerline upgrade, with the first phase – Inveraray to Port Ann – energised in July 2021.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/inveraray---crossaig/