SSEN Transmission submits planning application for Bingally substation project

SSEN Transmission has submitted a planning application to The Highland Council for the Bingally 400/132kV substation project.

The project is a key element of the transmission operator’s proposed Beauly to Denny overhead line (OHL) upgrade, from 275kV to 400kV operation. The upgrade is intended to help deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK – helping meet Scotland and the UK’s clean power and energy security ambitions.  

The new substation, which will connect to the existing Beauly to Denny OHL, will involve construction of a new outdoor 400/132kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation located in the Fasnakyle area, southeast of Cannich, near Tomich. 

The site was identified as the best from an environmental and technical perspective, and a series of pre-application consultation events have given members of the public the opportunity to help shape the substation proposals. 

These include landscape and screening measures to reduce visual impact, a detailed plan for construction traffic that seeks to minimise impact on the local road network, and proposals for biodiversity net gain.  

Steven Miller, Development Portfolio Manager from SSEN Transmission, said:
“The Bingally substation is a key component of our proposals to fully upgrade the existing Beauly to Denny overhead line from 275kV to 400kV operation, supporting the delivery of 2030 offshore wind generation targets set by the UK and Scottish Governments.  

“In developing our proposals, we have sought to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective taking account of the views of the local community. 

“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. 

“We would like to thank all those who provided feedback as part of our pre-application consultation events which have been key in helping shape our proposals. We now look forward to working with The Highland Council and stakeholders as part of the planning submission process.”   

More information on the Bingally 400/132kV substation project is available on our project webpage.

Click here to access the planning application on The Highland Council website.