Overview
Spittal -Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV Connection
We would like to thank all members of the local community and interested parties who took the time to attend the one of the 14 public events across the project route between 03 - 20 June 2024.
During the consultation we shared our potential alignment for the overhead line, with alternative alignment options in some locations, presented through maps and visualisations.
The consultation period for this project has now closed and feedback is being reviewed by the project team. A Report on Consultation will be published in due course outlining the feedback received and the next steps.
If you were unable to attend the public event you can download the project materials that were on display here.
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 for a new 400kV connection between Spittal and Beauly, connecting into new 400kV substation sites at Spittal, Loch Buidhe and Beauly. The project includes the following elements:
- A new 400kV connection between Spittal and Loch Buidhe
- A new 400kV connection between Loch Buidhe and Beauly
- New 400kV substations at Spittal, Loch Buidhe and Beauly
Find Out More About New Spittal Area 400kV Substation
Find Out More About New Loch Buidhe Area 400kV Substation
Find Out More About New Beauly Area 400kV Substation
This video outlines how the project contributes to our role in delivering Net Zero.
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 connection between Spittal and Beauly.
Spittal - Loch Buidhe - Beauly Interactive Map
Ahead of our Route Option consultations in February 2023, our Environmental Consultants, ERM, created a story map where you can find out more information on the project including an interactive map.
These maps have been updated to include the refined routes and alignment options.
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
Alignment Consultation Materials - June 2024
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Section E - Summary handouts.pdf
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- Date:
- 11 June 2024
- Size:
- 97.2 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about Section E and was provided during our consultation in June 2024.
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Section D - Summary handouts.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 10 June 2024
- Size:
- 48.9 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about Section D and was provided during our consultation in June 2024.
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Section C - Summary handouts.pdf
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- Date:
- 10 June 2024
- Size:
- 48.9 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about Section C and was provided during our consultation in June 2024.
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Section B - Summary Handouts
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- Date:
- 03 June 2024
- Size:
- 48.9 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about Section B and was provided during our consultation in June 2024.
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Section A - summary handouts.pdf
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- Date:
- 03 June 2024
- Size:
- 41.7 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about Section A and was provided during our consultation in June 2024.
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SLBB events poster.pdf
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- Date:
- 02 June 2024
- Size:
- 158.4 KB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about our consultation events in June 20234
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Alignment Consultation Document - May 2024.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 33.4 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the project and was provided during our consultation in June 24
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Alignment Consultation Booklet - June 2024 events.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 7.2 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the project and was provided during our consultation in June 2024
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Alignment Consultation Maps (Spittal - Loch Buidhe - Beauly).pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 45.1 MB
These maps provide information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within the project, published 21 May 2024
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Alignment Constraint Maps (Spittal - Loch Buidhe - Beauly).pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 55.7 MB
These maps provide information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within the project, published 21 May 2024
Alignment Consultation Maps by Section - June 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ C1.1 (Culrain).pdf
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- Date:
- 10 June 2024
- Size:
- 652.2 KB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within C1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Map ~ Section A1.1 - A1.2.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.1 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within A1.1 - A1.2, produced 3 June 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section A1.2 - A1.4.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 3 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within A1.2 - A1.4, produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section A1.4 - A1.5 (Helmsdale area).pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.2 MB
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Alignment Maps ~ Section A1.4 (Dunbeath area).pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 1.3 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within A1.4, produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section A1.5 - B1.1.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.1 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within A1.5 - B1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section B1.1 - B1.2.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.5 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within B1.1 - B1.2, produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section B1.1 (Brora area).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.6 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within B1.1,Vproduced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section C1.1 - D1.1 (Culrain area).pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.5 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within C1.1 - D.1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section D1.1 - D1.2.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.9 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within D1.1 - D1.2 produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section D1.1.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.6 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within D1.1 produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section D1.2 - E1.1 (Strathpeffer area).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within D1.2 - E1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Alignment Maps ~ Section E1.1 - E1.3.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.9 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the alignment options within E1.1 - E1.3, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Map ~ Section A1.1 - A1.2.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.5 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within A1.1-A1.2, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Map ~ Section B1.1 (Brora area).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.8 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within B1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section A1.2 - A1.4.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 5.2 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within A1.2 - A1.4, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section A1.4 - A1.5 (Helmsdale area).pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 5.1 MB
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Constraint Maps ~ Section A1.4 (Dunbeath area).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.2 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within A1.4, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section A1.5 - B1.1.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within A1.5-B1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section B1.1 - B1.2.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 6.1 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within B1.1 - B1.2, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section C1.1 - D1.1 (Culrain area).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within C1.1 - D1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section D1.1 - D1.2.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 5.7 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within D1.1 - D1.2, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section D1.1.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.9 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within D1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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Constraint Maps ~ Section D1.2 - E1.1 (Strathpeffer area).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 5.1 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within D1.2-E1.1, produced 21 May 2024
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e
- Type:
- Date:
- 27 May 2024
- Size:
- 4.9 MB
This map provides information to our stakeholders about the environmental constraints present within Section E1.1 -E1.3 , produced 21 May 2024
Pathway to 2030 Projects - Additional Information
March 2024 Public Events
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Consultation Document_2024 Addendum.pdf
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- Date:
- 12 March 2024
- Size:
- 657.8 KB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the project and was provided during our consultation in March 2024
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Public Event Booklet - March 2024 (2).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 March 2024
- Size:
- 2.8 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the project and was provided during our consultation in March 2024
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Section D-E Alternative Route Options.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 March 2024
- Size:
- 22.4 MB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about the alternative route options in section D-E and was provided during our consultation in March 2024
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Events advert.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 March 2024
- Size:
- 94 KB
This document provides information to our stakeholders about our consultation events in March 2024
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Refined Route Maps - Section D.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 12.3 MB
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Refined Route Maps - All sections.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 119.6 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section A1 to A1.5.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 7.8 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section A1.1 to A1.3.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 6.5 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section A1.1.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 7.1 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section A1.5 to A1.6.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 7.5 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section A1.5 to B1.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 10.3 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section B.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 12.2 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section B1, C1 ,D1.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 12.4 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section D,E.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 15 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section D1.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 14.2 MB
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Refined Route Maps - Section E.pdf
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- Date:
- 27 February 2024
- Size:
- 14.4 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section A).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.8 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section A1.1 - A1).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.8 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section A1.1-A3).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 6.9 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section A1-A5).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.5 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section A-B).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.9 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section B).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 6 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section B-C-D).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.6 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section D).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.6 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section D1).pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 5.5 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section D-E).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.8 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Map (Section E).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 4.5 MB
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SLBB Refined Routes Constraints Maps (All Sections A-E).pdf
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- Date:
- 26 February 2024
- Size:
- 121.8 MB
Report on Consultation
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Spittal to Loch Buidhe to Beauly proposed route maps.pdf
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- Date:
- 02 February 2024
- Size:
- 17.6 MB
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Report on Consultation - Community Council Briefing Slides - SLBB.pdf
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- Date:
- 14 December 2023
- Size:
- 3 MB
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Report on Consultation - New Beauly Area 400kV Substation and HVDC Converter Station.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 2.3 MB
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RoC - New Beauly Area 400kV Substation - Figure 2 - Proposed Site.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 1.6 MB
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Summary ROC - Spittal to Beauly.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 4.8 MB
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Report on Consultation - New Spittal Area 400kV Substation and HVDC Converter Station.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 1.5 MB
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RoC - New Spittal Area 400kV Substation - Figure 1 - Site Selection Options.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 6.7 MB
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RoC - New Spittal Area 400kV Substation - Figure 2 - Spittal Proposed Substation and HVDC Converter Station Site.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 4.1 MB
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Report on Consultation - New Loch Buidhe Area 400kV Substation.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 1.6 MB
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RoC - New Loch Buidhe 400kV Substation - Figure 1 -Site Selection Options.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 12 MB
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RoC - New Loch Buidhe 400kV Substation - Figure 2 -Proposed Substation Site.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 3.2 MB
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Report on Consultation - Spittal to Loch Buidhe to Beauly Overhead Line.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 3.2 MB
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RoC - Spittal to Beauly OHL - Figure 1 - Route Options Presented at Consultation.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 6.7 MB
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RoC - Spittal to Beauly OHL - Figure 2 - Proposed Route options to take forward to alignment phase.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 December 2023
- Size:
- 6.1 MB
Project Documents
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Report on Consultation - Community Council Briefing Slides - SLBB.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 December 2023
- Size:
- 3 MB
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Spittal-Loch Buidhe-Beauly 400kV OHL_Route Selection_Consultation Document Aug 2023.pdf
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- Date:
- 05 October 2023
- Size:
- 17.2 MB
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Consultation Summary Report - Spittal - Loch Buidhe - Beauly - July 23.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 July 2023
- Size:
- 1.3 MB
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Consultation response May 2023.pdf
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- Date:
- 17 May 2023
- Size:
- 166.2 KB
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Spittal-Loch Buidhe-Beauly initial consultation feedback response 28.03.23.pdf
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- Date:
- 28 March 2023
- Size:
- 199.9 KB
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Spittal to Loch Buidhe to Beauly Preferred Route Constraints Maps Sections A,B,C,D,E Feb/March 2023
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- Date:
- 22 February 2023
- Size:
- 34.3 MB
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Consultation Booklet (Spittal - Loch Buidhe - Beauly 400kV) Feb/March 2023
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- Date:
- 17 February 2023
- Size:
- 67.3 MB
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Public Consultation Poster - Feb/March 2023
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- Date:
- 06 February 2023
- Size:
- 101 KB
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
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