Overview
Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Feedback Event - June 2024
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the Bingally consultation event on 18 June where we presented our plans for the proposed Bingally 400KV substation, and shared our responses to feedback received during our consultation period.
We are now asking for any final comments or feedback until 30 July ahead of submitting planning applications for the Bingally 400kV substation project. We’ll be actively looking to mitigate the impacts of the site as much as possible over the coming months, but it would be helpful to understand what you believe we should be doing to help minimise these impacts.
Submit your comments and feedback by emailing bdup@sse.com or writing to your Community Liaison Manager Rosie Hodgart at SSEN Transmission, 1 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6AY.
Any comments made to us as the Applicant are not representations to The Highland Council as the planning authority. There will be opportunity to make formal representations to the planning authority following the submission of the planning application.
If you were unable to attend the public event please view the virtual exhibition room linked below, which presents all the information that was on display. You can also download the project materials from the Project Documents section of the website.
About the Project
In order to support the continued growth in onshore and offshore renewables across the north of Scotland, supporting the country's drive towards Net Zero, investment in network infrastructure is needed to connect this renewable power and transport it from source to areas of demand across the country.
Extensive studies have confirmed the need to upgrade the second circuit of the Beauly – Denny overhead line (OHL) from 275kV to 400kV. To do this, we require two new 400kV substations as well as modifications or extensions to other substations along the Beauly – Denny route.
The proposed Bingally 400kV substation is located southwest of Cannich, near Tomich, approximately 6km from the existing Fasnakyle 275kV substation. The new substation will house more sophisticated switching capability than is present in the existing 275kV substation, which requires significantly more space than either existing substation can currently accommodate.
Why is the Project Required?
As part of its statutory and transmission licence obligations, SSEN Transmission has a number of duties including:
- the development and maintenance of an efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity transmission
- to facilitate competition in the supply and generation of electricity
- to ensure that the security of the network is maintained as the demand and/or generation connections change over time
SSEN Transmission has a licence obligation to invest in its existing assets to maintain network health and condition. SSEN Transmission also has a statutory duty under the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 to ensure that the electricity transmission network is fit for purpose.
Pathway to 2030
The Pathway to 2030, published by National Grid ESO, the electricity system operator for Great Britain, sets the blueprint for the electricity transmission network infrastructure required to enable the forecasted growth in renewable electricity across Great Britain.
The projects identified within the Pathway to 2030 are critical to delivering the UK and Scottish Government’s offshore wind targets. To deliver these targets, we are investing over £10bn to upgrade the network infrastructure across the north of Scotland as the region plays a leading role in the clean energy transition.
As part of this investment, there is a requirement for a new 400kV substation near the existing Fasnakyle substation.
Community Engagement
Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with local communities and keep people informed about what we are doing. This is particularly important when we are developing a proposal and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.
We endeavour to take the time to discuss proposals with local community councils, encourage engagement from the wider community and listen to the feedback we receive.
We will do our best to answer any questions and address issues or concerns that are raised with us.
When our project progresses into construction, we will continue working closely with the local community to ensure that our work has as little impact on the lives of those living and working in the area and as many long term positive effects as possible.
How we’re embracing artificial intelligence (AI)
We intend to use AI to assist our experienced teams in the analysis of your feedback, so we can categorise key points raised more quickly. You can learn more about how we’re utilising AI on this dedicated web page.
Project Updates
Featured updates
Featured updates for this project
Project updates
Documents
Project Documents
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Bingally Pre-application Consultation Feedback Booklet.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 04 June 2024
- Size:
- 3.6 MB
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Fasnakyle area (Bingally) Pre-application Consultation Booklet
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- Date:
- 13 March 2024
- Size:
- 5.5 MB
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Fasnakyle area (Bingally) Pre-application Consultation Poster
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- Date:
- 13 March 2024
- Size:
- 490.5 KB
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Report on Consultation - Fasnakyle Area Substation.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 March 2024
- Size:
- 1.4 MB
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Fasnakyle Site Selection Consultation Document - Update 2024.pdf
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- Date:
- 08 February 2024
- Size:
- 3.5 MB
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Fasnakyle Site Selection Consultation Document
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- Date:
- 05 September 2023
- Size:
- 2.7 MB
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Fasnakyle 400kV Substation September 2023 public consultation booklet
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 5.8 MB
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Environmental Constraints
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 17.3 MB
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Potential Site
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 8.1 MB
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Substation Options Appraised at Stage 2
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 8.2 MB
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Substation Options.pdf
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- Date:
- 25 August 2023
- Size:
- 23.5 MB
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New Fasnakyle 400kV Substation Public Consultation Poster
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- Date:
- 18 August 2023
- Size:
- 134.8 KB
Pathway to 2030 Projects - Additional Information
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Routeing Overhead Lines - May 24
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- Date:
- 17 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.1 MB
This document describes our approach to routeing overhead lines, including our optioneering process, how we assess options and who we consult with
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EMF Leaflet.pdf
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- Date:
- 17 May 2024
- Size:
- 18.5 MB
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How stakeholder feedback influences our proposals - May 24
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- Date:
- 17 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.4 MB
This document describes the typical engagement activities we hold with a range of different stakeholders, how you can influence the current stage of our projects, the type of feedback we are currently seeking and next steps.
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The challenges with undergrounding at 400kV - May 2024
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- Date:
- 16 May 2024
- Size:
- 2.9 MB
We are often asked why our new Pathway to 2030 400kV connection projects cannot all be delivered via an underground cable instead of an overhead line. This paper explores some of the technical and engineering, operational, environmental and economic challenges associated with underground cabling which need to be carefully considered.
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Planning Applications under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997
- Type:
- Date:
- 15 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.2 MB
The main legislation that governs the consenting of our substation and converter station projects is the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. This document describes the pre-application process including consultation, our environmental assessments and our planning application submission and how this is determined.
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Why the Pathway to 2030 projects require both onshore and offshore solutions.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 2.5 MB
We are regularly asked why our Pathway to 2030 transmission network upgrades cannot all be delivered offshore via subsea links. This document explains some of the many factors that drive the need for both onshore and offshore solutions.
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Working with landowners and occupiers - May 24.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 8.2 MB
We recognise landowners and occupiers as key stakeholders in the development of our projects. This document details what happens if a voluntary agreement cannot be reached, concerns about impact on properties, following legal frameworks, biosecurity, and irrigation.
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The Section 37 Consent Process - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 1.7 MB
The legislation governing the consenting of overhead line projects in Scotland is the Electricity Act 1989. Applications for consent to construct and operate new overhead lines are made under Section 37 of this Act and are referred to as “Section 37 Consents”. You can find out more about this process in this document.
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Protecting Private Water Supplies - May 24.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 7.2 MB
Construction works and site investigation have the potential to impact on private water supplies (PWS) and we know that this can be a concern to occupants. This document outlines the activities we undertake to identify and protect PWS.
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Pathway to 2030- Why are these projects needed - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 4 MB
We receive a lot of queries about the need for our Pathway to 2030 projects. This document sets out some of the policies and targets driving the need for investment in new clean power and the electricity transmission network that is required to enable this. It also explains the electricity network planning processes that have established the need for these reinforcements.
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Pathway to 2030 - Tower Crossings - May 24.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
In this document you can learn more about the composition of our 400kV towers, and the approach we take when our overhead lines must cross existing assets.
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Delivering Legacy Benefits through Pathway to 2030 Projects - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 6.9 MB
This document details how this investment programme will ensure a reliable supply of electricity, lead to thousands of jobs across the region, a programme of skills development ensuring a workforce fit for the future and place multi-million-pound contracts with the local supply chain benefitting local communities.
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Biodiversity Net Gain - Handout - April 24.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 1.2 MB
We will always look to minimise the potential impacts from our activities and achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This document explains our approach and includes some examples of initiatives carried out at our sites.
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Delivering a Postive Environmental Legacy Booklet
- Type:
- Date:
- 12 February 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
This booklet describes our approach to leaving a positive environmental legacy, including our marine biodiversity approach.
FAQs
Who we are
About the Pathway to 2030 projects
Our approach to routeing and public consultation
Environmental considerations
Communities and landowner considerations
Cost and engineering considerations
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Latest Links
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Report on Consultation
Our Reports on Consultation across our three new overhead line projects and associated substation and convertor station developments have now been published. These reports provide a summary of the extensive feedback received during consultation, how this has been considered and confirmation of which routes and substations are now being taken forward to the next stage of development.
Our Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab.
Summary Reports on Consultation are also available for each of the three schemes and can be downloaded below:
- Summary Report on Consultation Spittal to Beauly
- Summary Report on Consultation Beauly to Peterhead
- Summary Report on Consultation Kintore to Tealing
A stakeholder webinar available for all to join will be held in the coming weeks to share the changes informed by the feedback. More information about the forthcoming webinar will be shared on our events page shortly.
In further recognition of community feedback, we will seek to rationalise cumulative infrastructure impacts through the removal and undergrounding of existing transmission lines, where technically practical and appropriate, and subject to all necessary planning consents and landowner agreements.
Work to identify and assess potential sections of existing overhead line where their removal will reduce cumulative impacts is ongoing, with an update expected as part of the next round of public consultation on overhead line alignments and more detailed substation designs in early 2024.
We would once again like to thank all stakeholders who took the time to engage with our early consultation process. We will continue to engage with stakeholders ahead of consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine our proposals.
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Report on Consultation
Over the course of this year, we have undertaken extensive consultation on plans to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland and have received a considerable amount of feedback from a wide range of stakeholders regarding our proposals.
We recently advised in our next steps for 2030 network developments update that following assessment of consultation feedback and additional options analysis, we would publish our Report on Consultations (RoCs). These reports provide a summary of the feedback received and how it has been considered, which options we will take forward to the next stage of the development process and any changes to options initially consulted on.
It is our intention to publish the RoCs during the week commencing 27 November. All stakeholders signed up for updates on the project will receive a link to the report and we will also issue Summary Reports to help ensure accessibility.
These Report on Consultations mark the completion of the first round of non-statutory consultation, where we sought feedback on the corridor, route, and substation locations. We will be consulting further with local communities and stakeholders in the new year, as we look to refine the projects, therefore we welcome an open channel of communication and would like to reassure all stakeholders that there will be further opportunities to engage on this project.
Our Reports on Consultation and Summary Reports on Consultation are now available to download from the Project Documentation tab. -
SSEN Transmission sets out next steps for Pathway to 2030 network developments
We have announced our next steps for our Pathway to 2030 programme of projects. We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with our teams and kindly taken the time to respond to our consultations.
Full details of the announcement can be found here:
Next steps for Pathway to 2030