Craig Murrail 275kV Substation

We are committed to supporting the communities in the north of Scotland where we operate, both now and in the future. As part of our ongoing efforts to make a difference and have a positive impact on local communities, we are proud to offer volunteering days to local groups and charities, particularly in the areas that host our electricity infrastructure or where our proposed projects are located. 

This month, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Volunteering Webpage, designed to make it easier for local communities to request volunteering support from us. To request our help, simply complete the ‘Volunteering Nomination Form’ linked at the bottom of our new webpage. Please note, as our team works on a voluntary basis, it may take us some time to coordinate our people and match them with opportunities. We kindly ask for your patience as we work to keep up with volunteering demand.

Thank you for considering SSEN Transmission as a partner in your community efforts. Together, we can leave a positive, lasting legacy and help transform communities across the north of Scotland.

The two temporary overhead line (OHL) diversion works have been completed alongside the required felling to allow the substation to be constructed safely and to ensure electricity supply to the network is maintained. When the substation is complete and energised, these two OHL diversion towers will be removed.

Additionally, a worker’s housing area has been secured at Kilmory Park Industrial estate with associated electricity and sewer works to commence end of October, early November 2024.

As part of these works, we are pleased to say we are commencing upgrading the Kilmory community path for all users and local residents with works due to start on 23 September 2024 and to last for a duration of approximately 2 weeks.

We hope that through developing this site and the connecting path that we will leave a positive legacy both for local residents and the future development of the industrial park.

Tree felling works for the substation and peat restoration areas have commenced. With site mobilisation due to go ahead October 2024.

The project working hours are as follows;

07.00hrs and 19.00hrs Mon to Friday (inclusive)

07.00hrs and 18.00hrs Saturday

And not at all on Sundays or Scottish Bank Holidays unless as otherwise may be agreed with Environmental Protection Officers in advance of the operations.

If you have any questions about this update or the project in general, please contact the Community Liaison Officer;

Martha Elizabeth Smart M: 07880998846

E: Martha.E.Smart@sse.com

The GB electricity regulator Ofgem has provisionally approved SSEN Transmission’s proposals to upgrade the electricity transmission network in Argyll and Kintyre.

In its minded-to approve consultation on SSEN Transmission’s Final Needs Case, Ofgem has recognised the clear need for the Argyll and Kintyre Reinforcement Strategy, which will secure future electricity supplies in the area and enable the connection of new renewable electricity generation in the region. It will support the connection of at least 970MW of new renewable electricity generation, enough to power more than 500,000 homes.

As well as supporting the transition to net zero emissions, the investment will also help secure the country’s future energy independence by removing the country’s dependence and price exposure to volatile, global wholesale gas markets, with the deployment of low carbon, affordable, renewable electricity generation.The project will also unlock hundreds of skilled jobs throughout the construction phase and provide a significant economic boost to local and national economies, all while playing a key role in supporting the transition to net zero emissions and helping secure the country’s future energy independence.

Ofgem’s minded-to decision and consultation on the Argyll and Kintyre Final Needs Case can be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/argyll-and-kintyre-project-final-needs-case-consultation.

As a stakeholder led business SSEN Transmission would like to encourage all interested and relevant stakeholders to contribute to this important consultation before the closing date on 15^th of September 2023.

A planning application has been submitted by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (operating and known as SSEN Transmission) for detailed planning permission under The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 for the Erection of High Voltage Electricity Substation and Formation of Associated Access, Landscaping, Drainage and Means of Enclosure (the Craig Murrail Substation), approximately 2.5 km north east of Lochgilphead and 2.9 km south west of Loch Glashan, Argyll and Bute.

The Proposed substation forms part of SSEN Transmission’s Argyll and Kintyre Strategy and is required to manage the transportation of renewable energy generation from Argyll to the wider electricity network.  The substation would connect into the existing 275 kV Overhead Line (OHL) from Inveraray to Crossaig. An Environmental Appraisal (EA) has been carried out as a non-statutory assessment to allow appropriate environmental management and mitigation measures to be identified. 

The relating documents for this application can be found on the project documents section of this webpage. 

Written comments may be made by e-mail: planning.hq@argyll-bute.gov.uk or Argyll and Bute Council, Development Management, Kilmory Castle, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RT.

The following chapters and annexes have been updated due to a redesign of the drainage system, landscape mitigation plan and access track layout at the proposed substation. In addition, the noise assessment has been updated to take account of revised noise emission data:

• Chapter 1 – Project description and Figure 1.1
• Chapter 2 – Project description and Figure 2.2
• Chapter 3 – Landscape and Visual Appraisal to take account of additional infrastructure
• Chapter 4 – Removal of reference to replanting on site
• Chapter 5 – Forestry to account for changes to felling and replanting (landscape mitigation)
• Chapter 8 – Update to project description and noise emission data for proposed plant
• Chapter 10 – Removal of reference to replanting on site

• Annex E – Landscape Mitigation Plan to account for changes to replanting
• Annex J – Forestry (Woodland Report) to account for changes to felling and replanting (landscape mitigation)
• Annex K – Drainage Impact Assessment to account for different SuDS system
• Annex O – Peat Management Plan to account for additional peat removal
• Annex P – Peat Landslide Hazard Risk Assessment with new track layout
• Annex S – Updated plant noise spectrum and modelling plots

Also attached are Figures 1a, 1b and 2 which have the updated limit of deviation (LOD) to match the text in Chapter 2 of the Environmental Appraisal.