Overview
Status: Project Assessment
About the Project
We are proposing to upgrade the existing electricity transmission infrastructure across the north east and east coast of Scotland to enable new onshore and offshore renewables to connect to Great Britain’s transmission system, allowing the onward supply of power to centres of demand.
We are developing a significant number of projects to strengthen the network serving the region and to enable developers to connect to the network.
The increase in renewable developers requesting connection in the north east of Scotland has triggered the need for an upgrade to the East Coast 132kV transmission network, which currently runs between the Craigiebuckler/Tarland overhead line tee point (west of Aberdeen) and Tealing Substation (north of Dundee).
The East Coast 132kV Overhead Line Project comprises:
- A new 132kV double circuit OHL to replace the existing overhead line from Brechin Substation to Tealing Substation
- Extension of the existing Brechin Substation
- The connection of the existing Fiddes 132/33kV Substation into the existing 275kV or 400kV transmission network, either via a new 275/33kV substation in the vicinity of Fiddes OR alternatively a new overhead line from Fiddes 132/33kV Substation to Fetteresso Substation
- Post construction, the removal of the existing 132kV overhead line between Craigiebuckler/Tarland overhead line tee point and Tealing Substation
Why is the Project Required?
As part of our statutory and transmission licence obligations, we have 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
We have a licence obligation to invest in our existing assets to maintain network health and condition. We also have a statutory duty under the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 to ensure that the electricity transmission network is fit for purpose.
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
Project updates
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Project Update - December 2021
Currently there is not a requirement to advance the East Coast 132kV project that was previously consulted upon in early 2021. It is noted however that the generation background in this area is continually subject to change and, whilst a driver to move this project forward is not currently in place, should this change we will be required to review our plans for this part of the network and take forward upgrade works as required. We will continue to keep our stakeholders and all interested parties updated on the status of this project. -
Project Update - June 2021
Following the online consultation events held in February this year to seek feedback on our plans to replace the transmission line between Brechin and Tealing substations, we wanted to provide a project update on our next steps. Over 1400 people visited the consultation platform during the consultation period, with just over 200 people sharing their feedback on SSEN Transmission’s plans via the portal, feedback forms, emails and calls. Sharing their views on the approach to route selection, the analysis of route options and the identification of a preferred route.Based on the feedback received from statutory stakeholders, the local community and interested parties, SSEN Transmission can confirm that it will not be proceeding with the proposed route option 1. SSEN Transmission will now undertake a technical assessment and analysis as well as reviewing optioneering, and as such any decisions on the next stage of development of the East Coast 132kV upgrade project are going on hold until these assessments and reviews are concluded. It is important that this detailed assessment be carried out before the next decisions are made on the proposed route or design. SSEN Transmission will continue their collaborative approach with stakeholders to identify an acceptable alignment and design solution. SSEN Transmission will continue to work closely with local stakeholders, statutory consultees and interested parties to keep them updated with any key activities whilst this assessment work is carried out. The next update on the project will be expected towards the end of the year, with the next consultation events not expected until early 2022. Whilst the consultation period has now closed stakeholders are encouraged to get in contact with the projects Community Liaison Manager should they wish to find out more about the project or if they have any questions.
Brechin to Tealing 132kV OHL Report on Consultation
Our Report on Consultation has been prepared with input by ASH Design and Assessment Ltd. to provide a summary of the responses received from key stakeholders (including statutory and non-statutory consultees, local communities, landowners and individual residents) during consultation between February and March 2021 in response to the preferred route identified for the East Coast 132kV Upgrade Project; Brechin to Tealing Overhead Line. -
Feedback Period Closed
SSEN Transmission would like to extend thanks to all members of the public, local stakeholders and other interested parties who took the time to provide feedback on our proposals for the East Coast 132kV Upgrade project. The feedback period for providing comments following our virtual consultation that we held on 25 of February has now closed. All responses received will now be reviewed by the project team.We anticipate that the review of the consultation responses will be considered by May 2021 and we will present the proposed route then. Following the selection of the proposed route we will start considering alignment options, that being the positioning of the towers themselves, which we will consult on in Autumn 2021. -
Feedback Period Open
The project team would like to extend thanks to all members of the public and interested parties who took the time to visit our virtual online exhibition and submitted questions to the team via the live text chat function on the 25th of February 2021. We hope you found the exhibition informative and beneficial. If you were unable to join one of the events, all the content that was presented online can be found within the project documentation tab of this website.The feedback period for comments and feedback on our proposals is open until the 12th February 2021.
Consultation Document
You can find the Brechin to Tealing 132kV overhead line consultation document in the "Project Documentation" section of this website. The associated figures are also available for download. The consultation document and figures provide a summary of the route choices considered during the design process which has been carried out to date. The route choices we have considered are included, along with the reasons for our choice of preferred route. We will be seeking feedback from the members of the public and Statutory Bodies until 12 March 2021.
February 2021 Virtual Consultation
We are taking forward plans to upgrade the East Coast 132kV Transmission Network which currently runs between the Craigiebuckler/Tarland overhead line (OHL) Tee point (west of Aberdeen) and the Tealing substation (North of Dundee). In lieu of being able to hold face to face public consultations in the local area, we are hosting a virtual consultation exhibition to provide greater detail about this project.The virtual consultation events have been designed to be as interactive as face to face events, allowing for presentation of key project information and plans, as well as providing an opportunity to ask questions about the project.Visitors will be able to engage directly with the project team, via a live text chat function, where they can ask any questions they might have about the project and share their feedback on the current proposals.To access the virtual consultation room, please follow the link on the project overview page.
Project Documents
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120012-d-cb1-200-preferred-route-reduced.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 3 MB
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brechin-to-tealing-132kv-ohl-consultation-document.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.9 MB
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brechin-to-tealing-132-kv-overhead-line-report-on-consulation-may-2021.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.7 MB
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east-coast-132kv-overhead-line-brechin-to-tealing_final.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 8.3 MB
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east-coast-brechin-to-tealing-banners_final.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 5.1 MB
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ec-132kv-ohl-poster.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 792 KB
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figure-1-corridor-and-route-options.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 14.4 MB
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figure-2-ecological-constraints.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 10.7 MB
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figure-3-geology_hydrology-and-hydrogeology.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 12.5 MB
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figure-4-cultural-heritage.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 10.6 MB
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figure-5-landscape-and-visual-constraints.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 12.3 MB
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figure-6-landscape-character.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 9.6 MB
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figure-7-landuse-and-recreation.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 12.5 MB
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figure-8-forestry.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 12 MB
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figure-9-preferred-route.pdf
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 13.8 MB
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lt225_brec_1104_0001_00_0h-draft-brechin-ss-proposed-electrical-layout-layout1.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 2.8 MB
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FAQs
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