Overview
About the Project
The East Coast 275kV Upgrade is the first part of the phased onshore reinforcement of the electricity transmission network on the east coast of Scotland. These reinforcements comprise works on existing infrastructure in both ours and Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) area, with the bulk of the works in our area.
The main advantage of a two-stage approach is this allows for earlier delivery of increased capacity on the network in this region. This will also help resolve the issue of overloading and congestion on the transmission network.
The east coast steel lattice towers and the overhead lines which they support are currently operating at 275kV. The projected growth in generation capacity within our area gives rise to increased north to south power transfer requirements and therefore the overhead lines are required to transfer more power. As a result, the conductors will operate at an elevated temperature, which can cause the conductors to sag. As a responsible operator we have modelled the future sag and under this project will undertake works to ensure the conductors remain within a safe clearance height.
The works required are termed as re-profiling works, where works such as vegetation clearance or changing of fittings on some towers to raise the conductor will be undertaken. This will ensure safe clearance between the ground and the conductor is maintained.
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.
The National Electricity Transmission System Security and Quality of Supply Standard (NETS SQSS) provides the deterministic criteria that we must use to plan and design the transmission system. The criteria require that there are neither equipment overloads nor voltage violations under intact conditions. The criteria also require that there is no unacceptable overloading of any primary transmission equipment or unacceptable voltage conditions under planned or unplanned outage conditions.
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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We're here to lend a helping hand
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.
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Project Update - March 2022
The 2021 and 2022 OHL works associated with connecting the new Alyth substation to the national grid are now complete. Reprofiling works on the final circuits between Tealing and Alyth are also complete.The next big milestone for the OHL works will be thefinal tie-ins required to connect the new towers that were erected in 2021 into Alyth substation which are due to be carried out in June 2023. -
Project Update - December 2021
The 3 new towers required to connect the overhead lines from Fetteresso, Kincardine and Tealing into the new Alyth substation which is currently in construction near Meigle are complete as well as the reconductoring works on the Kincardine-Fetteresso circuits. Reconductoring works on the final circuits between Tealing and Alyth continue.The tie-ins required to connect the new towers into Alyth substation are due to be carried out in June 2023.Our Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty will demobilise from site for the festive period from 23rd December and start back on 11th January. -
Project Update - August 2021
Following the mobilisation of our Principal Contractor, Balfour Beatty, for the commencement of Lot 1 works on the East Coast 275kV overhead line project and with works now starting on Lot 2 of the project, we wanted to provide an update on how activities on site were progressing.Our Lot 1 works, which comprise of the overhead line works associated with connecting the new Alyth substation that is currently in construction, are progressing well and remain on programme. To date, Balfour Beatty have completed the erection of the two temporary towers required to create a temporary bypass. Both towers are located adjacent to the existing overhead line. This bypass is required to enable the new permanent towers to be constructed. Two of the three new towers that will be constructed as part of this project will be erected on the existing overhead line alignment. Works have also now commenced on the first of these three new towers, with half of the foundations completed and we anticipate foundation works for the second new tower to begin imminently.Lot 2 works are also now underway with several towers at various locations having earth resistance tests on tower footings carried out. These works consist of connecting an electrode to the tower leg and another 30m out from the tower to a grounded spike to test and ensure good earth grounding through the tower foundation. This is to ensure that no induced current can build up on the tower steelwork.Upcoming works for Lot 2 include tightening up of the bottom conductors on a number of towers to achieve electrical clearance between the ground and the conductor as well as midspan joint testing and tension tower resistivity and re-compression works. These works entail testing the electrical resistance through existing compression joints on the overhead line wires (Conductors) to make sure there are no hot spots in the joints caused by tiny gaps.
Progress Gallery
We have created a progress gallery on the project overview page of this website which shows a selection of photographs taken on site documenting the project construction progress. These currently show progress for phase 1 works which consists of the overhead line works associated with the new Alyth substation that is currently in construction. -
Construction Mobilisation
Our Principal Contractor; Balfour Beatty, will next month begin to set up their site compound in order to commence the start of construction on the first phase of the East Coast 275kV overhead line upgrade project. The site will be close to the U100 just outside Meigle in Perthshire. Phase 1 consists of overhead line works associated with the new Alyth substation, the construction of which commences in June. -
Project Update
Works will be undertaken to re-profile 185km of the existing 275kV overhead line between Kintore and Fetteresso and the 275kV overhead line between Tealing and Alyth. The project will also re-profile 36km of the existing 275kV overhead line between Tealing and the SSEN Transmission/SPT border. The re-profiling works will consist of tightening and adjusting the wires (conductors), as well as a programme of vegetation clearance to ensure that the safety distance from the wires to the ground is adequate for safety. As part of this project SSEN Transmission are also looking to construct three new towers on land just outside of Meigle to accommodate a connection to the proposed new Alyth substation.All necessary consents have now been secured by SSEN Transmission and the works will be delivered in a phased manner between April 2021 and October 2023.
Documents
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East Coast 275kV and 400kV Overhead Line Reinforcement Projects Information Booklet - April 2021
- Type:
- Date:
- 06 April 2021
- Size:
- 3.4 MB
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North East 400kV and Eastern Reinforcements Information Booklet - November 2019
- Type:
- Date:
- 20 November 2019
- Size:
- 4.5 MB
Gallery
Progress Gallery
A selection of photographs taken on site documenting the project construction progress of phase 1 which consists of overhead line works associated with the new Alyth substation that is currently in construction.
FAQs
FAQs
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