Overview
Status: Project Refinement
About the Project
This project is needed to connect the Cloiche and Dell Wind Farms into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV Substation, to enable export of electricity from generation to our transmission network. This will involve the following elements of work which have been collectively termed as The Melgarve Cluster:
Cloiche and Dell Wind Farm Connections
The connection of Dell and Cloiche Wind Farms into Melgarve Substation were initially proposed to be via two new 132kV single circuit overhead lines, but following stakeholder feedback and due to technical constraints within the existing Stronelairg Wind Farm, it is now proposed the connections are via a combined solution of underground cable and a new 132kV double circuit steel lattice tower overhead line.
Melgarve Substation Extension
Following the recent refusal of Glensherro Wind Farm’s Section 36 planning application, the wind farm developer, RES, has now terminated its grid connection agreement. We have now reassessed the capacity of Melgarve Substation and concluded that the substation will no longer require an extension to accommodate the connection of Dell and Cloiche Wind Farms. The situation will be reassessed should further applications be made for connections to the network in this area in the future.
3D Visualisation of the Project
In partnership with specialist company 3DW, we created a video fly through which allows stakeholders to visualise the proposed Melgarve Cluster Project. We hope that this will aid understanding of the project and increase transparency. The video fly through is available to view here.
Why is the Project Required?
As part of our statutory and transmission licence obligations, we have several duties including:
- To facilitate competition in the supply and generation of electricity
- The development and maintenance of an efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity transmission
- Plan the network in accordance with the National Electricity Transmission System Security and Quality of Supply Standard (NETS SQSS) to ensure that the security of the network is maintained as the demand and/or generation connections change over time
The NETS SQSS provides the criteria that we must use to plan and design the transmission system. The defined criteria ensure the security of the Main Interconnected Transmission System (MITS) within which power transfers may be in varying directions at differing levels of demand and generation output.
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
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Section 37 Application Submission
Scottish Southern Electric Transmission plc (SSEN Transmission) have submitted an application to the Scottish Ministers for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to connect the Cloiche and Dell Wind Farms into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV Substation. This is to enable export of electricity from the windfarms to the transmission network. The elements of work (collectively termed as ‘Melgarve Cluster’) will involve the Cloiche and Dell Windfarm connections to the transmission network via a combined solution of a new 132kV double circuit steel lattice tower overhead line and underground cables (overall connection length of 16.9 km which includes 9.9 km of underground cables), as well as ancillary works (including cable sealing end compounds, upgrades to access tracks, new access tracks, vegetation clearance and temporary working measures/areas). The proposed development has been subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which has been produced to accompany the application for consent.for the Melgarve Cluster project.
SSEN Transmission has also asked that Scottish Ministers give a direction under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 that planning permission for the development be deemed to be granted.
Any representations on the application may be submitted to Scottish Ministers via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot using reference ECU00004850 , by email to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@gov.scot; or by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation. Please note that there may be a delay in the ECU receiving representations by post.
All representations should be made such that they are received by Scottish Ministers not later than 11 June 2024 although Scottish Ministers may consider representations received after this date.
A hard copy of the EIA has been placed locally and is available for viewing at the following public locations:
- Fort Augustus Village Hall, Bunoich Brae, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DG (opening of the hall to be arranged by appointment by calling 01320 366 800)
- Laggan Community Hall, Laggan, PH201AN (opening of the hall to be arranged by appointment by calling 01528 544 309)
In addition, a hard copy of the EIA will be accessible at The Highland Council’s offices at Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX during normal opening hours.
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Alignment report on consultation
Our alignment 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 January 2023 and March 2023, in response to the preferred alignment and
design solution identified for a new 132kV connection required to connect the consented Dell and Cloiche wind farms to the National Grid at Melgarve substation, near Laggan.
If you wish to view our Report on Consultation, this is available for download from the project documents section of this webpage. -
Feedback period closed
The project team would like to extend thanks to all members of the public and interested parties who were able to come to our in person alignment public consultations that were held in both Laggan and Fort Augustus across 8 and 9 February. The feedback period on our alignment proposals is now closed and all comments will be reviewed by the project team.
If you were unable to come and meet the team at our events all the information on our proposals can be downloaded from the project documentation tab of this website. -
Public Consultation
Due to the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for the area. The Melgarve Cluster public consultations will finish earlier at Laggan Community Hall today at 6pm instead of the advertised time of 7pm.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but in the interest of the safety of the public that may be attending today and our staff we feel this is a prudent measure. -
Alignment options consultation document
We have today published the Melgarve Cluster alignment options consultation document in the "project documents" section of this website, titled 'Alignment options consultation document’. The consultation document and figures provide a summary of the alignment choices considered during the design process which has been carried out to date. The alignment choices we have considered are included, along with the reasons for our choice of our preferred. We will be seeking feedback from the members of the public and Statutory Bodies until 10 March 2023.
Alignment public consultations
In December 2021 and January 2022, we held virtual online consultation exhibitions on our preferred route proposals to connect 3 proposed wind farms into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV substation to enable export of the electricity from these wind farms into the SSEN Transmission system.
Following these events and the termination of Glenshero wind farm connection, we are now pleased to be hosting further public consultations to present our alignment for connecting the proposed Cloich and Dell wind farms.
We would encourage members of the local community and all interested parties to attend the events in order to provide us with feedback on our proposals.
The events are being held on the below dates and folowing venues:
Wednesday 8 February, 2-7pm at Laggan Community Hall
Thursday 9 February, 2-7pm at Fort Augustus Village Hall -
Project updates - September 2022
Following the recent refusal of Glensherro Wind Farm’s Section 36 planning application, the wind farm developer, RES, has now terminated its grid connection agreement. SSEN Transmission has now reassessed the capacity of Melgarve Substation and has concluded that the substation will no longer require an extension to accommodate the connection of Dell and Cloiche Wind farms. The situation will be reassessed should further applications be made for connections to the network in this area in the future. -
Report on Consultation
Our Report on Consultation is now available to be downloaded from the 'project documentation' section of this webpage. This 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 November 2021 and February 2022 in response to preferred routes for the following new 132 kV connections: Glenshero Wind Farm connection to Melgarve substation via an underground cable (UGC); Cloiche Wind Farm connection to Melgarve substation via an overhead line (OHL); and Dell Windfarm connection to Melgarve substation via an OHL. -
Feedback Period Closed
The feedback period for providing comments following our virtual consultation events that we held n o 8 December 2021 and on 10 and 11 January 2022 has now closed. The project team would like to extend thanks to all members of the public and interested parties who took the time to provide feedback on our proposals. All responses received will now be assessed and the proposed options adapted where necessary. -
Feedback Period
We have extended the feedback period for the December 2021 and January 2022 public consultations to Friday 11th February 2022.
Public Consultation Feedback
Following the additional virtual consultations the project team held on 10 and 11 January due to the cancellation of the planned in person events in Laggan and Fort Augustus. SSEN Transmission would like to thank all those who took the time to visit our virtual online consultation room and submitted questions to the team via the live instant message chat function.The virtual consultation room will remain open via the link on the project overview page until the feedback period closes on 28 January. -
January 2022 Virtual Consultations
Following previous correspondence advertising upcoming face to face public consultations on 10 and 11 January 2022 in Fort Augustus and Laggan to gain views and feedback on our proposals to connect the Glenshero, Cloich and Dell wind farms into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV substation to enable export of the electricity from these wind farms into the SSEN Transmission system, we have made the difficult decision to cancel these in person events due to the ever increasing COVID-19 levels.We are disappointed that we have had to cancel, however our top priority is the safety of the residents and communities of Fort Augustus and Laggan. We hope you understand that unfortunately there is no safe way to go ahead with these events in person at this time.In order to still provide an opportunity for all interested parties to share their views with us, we will now hold further virtual consultations. To access the virtual consultation portal, please click on the below link and scroll down
Virtual Consultations
We would like to extend thanks to all members of the public and interested parties who were able to visit our virtual online consultation on 8 December 2021. We hope you found the material presented in the virtual room informative and beneficial. If you were unable to join the virtual consultation sessions, the face to face public consultations are to be held on 10 and 11 January 2022, and all the information on our proposals can be downloaded from the project documentation tab of this website. We encourage those with an interest to share their views and feedback on our proposals by completing a feedback form, the feedback period on these current proposals is open until 28 January 2022. To access a feedback form and for more information on the January events please visit the project overview section of this website via the link below. -
Consultation Document
You can find the Melgarve Cluster consultation document in the "Project Documentation" section of this website, titled 'Consultation Document - November 2021’. 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 routes. We will be seeking feedback from the members of the public and Statutory Bodies until 28 January 2022
Public Consultations
The public consultations that SSEN Transmission postponed earlier in November have now been re-arranged. We are hosting both face to face public consultations along with a virtual online consultation exhibition to gain views and feedback on our proposals to connect the Glenshero, Cloich and Dell wind farms into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV substation to enable export of the electricity from these wind farms into the SSEN Transmission system. To allow for the festive period the consultations will be held both in December and January to ensure sufficient time for all interested parties to be able to join one of our consultation sessions and provide feedback. To find out dates and venues please click on the link below.
Public consultation events postponed
SSEN Transmission has postponed our planned engagement events for the Melgarve Cluster. The events that were scheduled to take place in Laggan on 23 November and Fort Augustus on 24 November will not go ahead. We would like to apologise for the postponement of our consultation events and will be in touch with information once they have been rearranged. -
November 2021 public consultations
SSEN Transmission are hosting both face to face public consultations along with a virtual online consultation exhibition to gain views and feedback on our proposals to connect the Glenshero, Cloich and Dell wind farms into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV substation to enable export of the electricity from these wind farms into the SSEN Transmission system.We would encourage members of the local communities and all interested parties to attend the events. The open-door drop-in face to face consultations will be held across 23 and 24 November, to find out more please see the project overview page via the link below.
Documents
Project Documents
Section 37 Submission
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Cover Letter_s37 Application_Melgarve Cluster FINAL 01 05 2024.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 May 2024
- Size:
- 197.1 KB
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Melgarve Cluster Planning Statement JLL Final 28.03.24.pdf
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- Date:
- 22 April 2024
- Size:
- 921.1 KB
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Melgarve Cluster Project MD SEDD EIA Checklist.pdf
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- Date:
- 22 April 2024
- Size:
- 114.1 KB
Section 37 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
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Melgarve Cluster Project - Environmental Impact Assessment - Non Technical Summary.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 22 April 2024
- Size:
- 2.7 MB
FAQs
FAQs
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