Tealing - Westfield Overhead Line 400kV Upgrade

Type:
Reconductoring of Overhead Line
Location:
Angus, Perth & Kinross

Upgrading existing overhead power lines to accommodate home-grown renewable generation, working towards a secure and net zero energy future.

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Overview

Status: Project Refinement

Stage 3 of 5

5 joined together arrow shapes in a row each labelled with the stage number. The first 3 arrows are highlighted in filled green shades to indicate the project is at stage 3 of 5
  • Stage 1: Project Assessment: (Completed)

    During the Project Assessment stage, we’re committed to evaluating potential project strategies. At this stage, we provide information about the proposed project plans on our website for stakeholders to review and provide feedback on, as well as holding in-person events within the local community demonstrating our collaborative approach to the project's development.

  • Stage 2: Early Development: (Completed)

    During Early Development, we concentrate on refining the project details, based on our initial assessment of key environmental, technical, and economic factors to identify the best performing approach. We would like to gain further input from communities through accessible in-person and in some cases online consultations, which are crucial in refining our plans and strategies before advancing to the application stage.

  • Stage 3: Project Refinement: (In progress)

    The Project Refinement stage is where we finalise project plans and submit the required planning applications to the relevant planning authorities. Communities and other key stakeholders can provide feedback directly to the appropriate body such as their local council and constituent representatives.

  • Stage 4: Construction Phase:

    Within the construction phase we mobilise our workforce, contractors, and necessary equipment to begin construction. We maintain open channels of communication, allowing communities and stakeholders to submit feedback on the construction activities to our dedicated Community Liaison Managers, ensuring ongoing engagement to any thoughts or concerns while we carry out work in the area.

  • Stage 5: Operational Phase:

    At this final stage, the project successfully moves into the operational phase, with the surrounding environment restored to its original state or better. Our Community Liaison Mangers continue to be available to address any questions or concerns, ensuring a lasting positive impact and strong community relations even after the construction activities conclude.

Planning Application

Following the second pre application consultation feedback events that were hosted in June at several locations within Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife we can confirm that we have now submitted our S37 consent application to the Scottish Ministers at the Energy Consents Unit (ECU).

The Tealing – Westfield OHL upgrade is part of a wider upgrade to the transmission network in the north of Scotland, helping deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK – helping meet national net zero and energy security ambitions.  

Under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 we have applied to Scottish Ministers for consent to upgrade approximately 37km of existing 275kV OHL between Tower 182 (west of Tealing substation) and the licence boundary with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) OHL network, to enable operation at 400kV.

Should you wish to view our application in full and submit formal comment to the Scottish Ministers it is available to be viewed via the ECU’s application portal, using reference ECU00005168.  Any representations in respect of the application may be submitted by email to the Scottish Government via 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.

All the documentation submitted as part of the application can also be viewed and downloaded via the documents section of this webpage.

We would like to thank those who provided feedback as part of our pre-application consultation events, which have been key in helping us shape our proposals and we now look forward to working with the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders as part of the consenting process.  

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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.

To support the increased capacity from the proposed Kintore to Tealing 400kV connection, the export routes to areas of demand must be upgraded to 400kV. This means the existing Alyth – Tealing and Tealing – Westfield overhead lines, which currently operate at 275kV, need to be upgraded to operate at 400kV.

This is part of the East Coast 400kV projects, a scheme consisting of several onshore reinforcement projects on the east coast of Scotland.

Find out more About Kintore to Tealing 400kV Connection

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 £20bn 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 the Tealing - Westfield Overhead Line 400kV Upgrade Project.

Explore Pathway to 2030 Projects

Stakeholder Engagement

Public consultations took place in May 2023 as well as March and June 2024 to inform the community on progress to date with the East Coast 400kV Projects. We sought feedback from local communities and all interested parties on all the projects that make up the scheme.

Access the 2023 Virtual Exhibition

In the video below, Senior Project Manager Calum Grant describes the approach we are taking to develop our proposals and the opportunities that are available for stakeholders to feed into the design process.

The East Coast 400kV Projects

The East Coast 400kV Projects are a scheme consisting of several onshore reinforcement projects on the east coast of Scotland, comprising new and upgrade of existing infrastructure. The majority of the infrastructure projects are within our operational area in the north of Scotland.

To provide the full 400kV capability that the scheme intends to deliver, there are several projects that contribute to the full scheme:

  • An extension to Kintore 400kV substation (currently under construction)
  • A new 400kV substation within the vicinity of the existing Fetteresso substation

  • A new 400kV substation within the vicinity of the existing Tealing substation

  • A new 400kV connection between Kintore and Tealing

  • An upgrade to the existing Alyth - Tealing 275kV overhead line

  • An upgrade to the existing Tealing - Westfield 275kV overhead line (to the Scottish Power Transmission operational border)

  • Connection of the upgraded Alyth - Tealing and Tealing - Westfield overhead lines into the proposed Tealing substation

Find out more about Kintore 400kV substation

Find out more about Hurlie 400kV substation

Find out more about Emmock 400kV substation

Find out more about Kintore to Tealing 400kV connection

Find out more about Alyth - Tealing 400kV upgrade

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.

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Project Contacts

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