Publication of final Report on Consultation for Spittal - Loch Buidhe - Beauly 400kV overhead line project

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  • Report to confirm final overhead line route being taken forward for development 

  • Publication comes ahead of engagement events taking place in February and March 

The final Report on Consultation for a proposed new 400kV overhead line running from Spittal via Loch Buidhe and on to Beauly has been published. The project would comprise three new substations along its route.  

The Report will confirm the final overhead line route alignments being taken forward to planning consent and development.  

The proposed new transmission line forms a key part of SSEN Transmission’s plans to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland – a £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme that will deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK, supporting Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power ambitions.  

The Report on Consultation, which is available to view here provides a summary of the feedback received in response to proposals for the overhead line from Spittal in Caithness to Beauly, west of Inverness, how this has been considered, and confirmation of final overhead line route alignments being taken forward. 

Its publication follows three rounds of overhead line route consultations, and three rounds of consultation on potential substation locations, totalling 37 in-person events and one virtual event.  

Throughout the consultation process, key sections of the overhead line route have been reviewed and changed to reflect community and stakeholder feedback, helping to minimise local impacts. The Report on Consultation outlines the latest changes made to minimise impact in response to community and stakeholder feedback, which will be presented by the project team at public engagement events taking place in February and March 2025.  

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Examples of changes made to the overhead line route through the consultation process include: 

  • In the section between Spittal and Brora, as the proposed new overhead line passes Dunbeath, the more inland of the two potential routes consulted on is being taken forward to reduce impacts on Dunbeath and surrounding settlements 
  • As the overhead line passes Helmsdale, SSEN Transmission is taking forward an inland option to reduce impacts on communities 
  • In the area around Bonar Bridge west of Dornoch, SSEN Transmission is progressing the overhead line route presented in its previous consultation. In recognition of concerns about the potential impact of this route on the village of Culrain and Carbisdale Castle, it has sought to minimise impacts through micrositing of towers 

All other route alignments and the proposed locations for Spittal, Loch Buidhe and Beauly substations are being progressed in line with the initial preferred options.   

On Tuesday, 4 February, a webinar will be held to provide an overview of the publication of Reports on Consultations for all three of the proposed 400kV overhead line projects being delivered as part of the Pathway to 2030 programme, including the Spittal to Beauly route. The webinar will also look ahead to the upcoming public engagement events. 
 
Further details about the webinar, including how to register, are available here.  

Commenting on the publication of the final Report on Consultation, Rebecca Gay, Senior Development Project Manager, said:  
 “We have engaged extensively with local communities and stakeholders throughout the development of this project, and we would like to thank all those who have taken the time to provide the constructive feedback that has helped to shape our proposals. 

“Our final Report on Consultation reflects the important role this engagement has played, resulting in changes to key sections of the overhead line route and various other plans to mitigate local concerns. 

“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is crucial if we are to achieve the country’s energy security and clean power objectives, and it’s also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and across the north of Scotland. 

“In February and March we will be holding a further series of public engagement events where we will present our final alignment plans for the development of this critical national infrastructure.” 

The proposed Spittal to Beauly 400kV project is one of a series of major onshore and offshore projects being taken forward through a £20bn+ investment to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland. 

Known as the Pathway to 2030 programme, it will create and support thousands of jobs in the region, both at SSEN Transmission and through the wider supply chain, while delivering an anticipated £100m+ in community benefit funding for communities located close to new transmission infrastructure. And the Perth-headquartered business has also pledged to help tackle the north of Scotland’s housing crisis by supporting the delivery of more than 1,000 new homes across the region as a legacy of its workforce accommodation requirements to construct the projects.