Overview
Work ongoing to explore alternative potential site for new Lewis HVDC convertor station and substation
SSEN Transmission confirm it is no longer progressing Creed North substation site
SSEN Transmission can confirm that its Western Isles HVDC Connector Project team are no longer actively progressing the Creed North site it previously consulted on for its proposed new HVDC Convertor Station and AC Substation, a key component for the Western Isles HVDC subsea link.
Following consultation on the proposed substation site last year, SSEN Transmission has received feedback from a range of local stakeholders, including the landowner, the Stornoway Trust; elected members; Marybank and Maryhill Community Association; the Stornoway Historical Society; the Stornoway Angling Association; local crofters and other local community interest groups and members.
SSEN Transmission welcomes the widespread support for the project need and in recognising the strength of feeling amongst the local community against the proposed siting of the substation at the Creed North location, SSEN Transmission is now actively exploring alternative sites. This work is ongoing with an update on the extended site selection process expected in the coming weeks.
Colin Bell, Lead Project Manager, said:
“Following feedback from a range of individuals and groups we can confirm that we are no longer actively progressing our previously identified preferred convertor station and substation site at Creed North.
“We would like to thank all stakeholders who kindly took the time to constructively provide their feedback and hope that our commitment to explore alternative sites helps address local concerns.
“Work to identify an alternative potential site is ongoing and to help inform this site selection process, our teams will continue to balance key environmental, technical and construction constraints, whilst seeking to minimise and where possible mitigate community and landscape impacts.
“We remain fully committed to engaging constructively with all stakeholders and look forward to presenting an update on our site selection process for further public consultation in the coming months.”
Iain MacIver, Estate Factor at The Stornoway Trust, said:
“SSEN Transmission’s pledge to seek a more suitable location for the long-awaited convertor station is warmly welcomed and gratefully appreciated by the Trust.
“Dependent on our Island’s renewable energy aspirations is the timely delivery of the key component on which the future of so many projects rely.
“As well as the Trust’s continued support, other stakeholders must also play their part to enabling SSEN Transmission to find a more suitable solution.”
Project update
Following the cable route consultation and site selection update held back in November 2023, the project team is working through a programme of ground investigation works at various sites on Lewis for our Western Isles HVDC Link project, which will help provide vital information and key data for the next phase of project development.
These sites include potential locations for our HVDC Converter and AC Substation as well as along the proposed HVDC cable corridor from Arnish Point, along the Arnish Moor Road and at the planned land fall location at Arnish Point.
No final decision has been reached on the potential site location for our HVDC Converter station, and we are continuing to evaluate all options and consider the valuable feedback received from the local community groups, local residents, the Stornoway Trust and council representatives.
The pre-application consultation event will take place later this year once the site for the HVDC Convertor Station and AC substation has been identified.
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.
The Western Isles is home to some of Scotland’s greatest renewable energy resources, particularly onshore and offshore wind. As the existing Western Isles electricity network is at full capacity, no new electricity generation can connect without significant network reinforcements.
This project is required to connect onshore and offshore wind in and around the Western Isles to the GB transmission system, maximising the significant renewable potential of the Western Isles, adding capacity for new connections and reducing the island's reliance on diesel-powered electricity generation.
Project Elements
- High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter Station and an Alternating Current (AC) Substation located near Stornoway
- Circa 4km of underground HVDC cable from the new HVDC converter station and AC substation to the landfall at Arnish Point, Stornoway
- 81km of HVDC subsea cable from Arnish Point, Stornoway to Dundonnell on the Scottish mainland
- Circa 80km of onshore underground HVDC cable from Dundonnell to a mainland HVDC Converter Station near Beauly
- A mainland HVDC Converter Station near Beauly
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 the Western Isles Connection Project.
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
Documents
Pathway to 2030 Projects - Additional Information
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Routeing Overhead Lines - May 24
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- Date:
- 17 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.1 MB
This document describes our approach to routeing overhead lines, including our optioneering process, how we assess options and who we consult with
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EMF Leaflet.pdf
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- Date:
- 17 May 2024
- Size:
- 18.5 MB
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How stakeholder feedback influences our proposals - May 24
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- Date:
- 17 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.4 MB
This document describes the typical engagement activities we hold with a range of different stakeholders, how you can influence the current stage of our projects, the type of feedback we are currently seeking and next steps.
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The challenges with undergrounding at 400kV - May 2024
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- Date:
- 16 May 2024
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- 2.9 MB
We are often asked why our new Pathway to 2030 400kV connection projects cannot all be delivered via an underground cable instead of an overhead line. This paper explores some of the technical and engineering, operational, environmental and economic challenges associated with underground cabling which need to be carefully considered.
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Planning Applications under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997
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- Date:
- 15 May 2024
- Size:
- 3.2 MB
The main legislation that governs the consenting of our substation and converter station projects is the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. This document describes the pre-application process including consultation, our environmental assessments and our planning application submission and how this is determined.
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Why the Pathway to 2030 projects require both onshore and offshore solutions.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 2.5 MB
We are regularly asked why our Pathway to 2030 transmission network upgrades cannot all be delivered offshore via subsea links. This document explains some of the many factors that drive the need for both onshore and offshore solutions.
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Working with landowners and occupiers - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 8.2 MB
We recognise landowners and occupiers as key stakeholders in the development of our projects. This document details what happens if a voluntary agreement cannot be reached, concerns about impact on properties, following legal frameworks, biosecurity, and irrigation.
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The Section 37 Consent Process - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 1.7 MB
The legislation governing the consenting of overhead line projects in Scotland is the Electricity Act 1989. Applications for consent to construct and operate new overhead lines are made under Section 37 of this Act and are referred to as “Section 37 Consents”. You can find out more about this process in this document.
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Protecting Private Water Supplies - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 7.2 MB
Construction works and site investigation have the potential to impact on private water supplies (PWS) and we know that this can be a concern to occupants. This document outlines the activities we undertake to identify and protect PWS.
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Pathway to 2030- Why are these projects needed - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
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- 4 MB
We receive a lot of queries about the need for our Pathway to 2030 projects. This document sets out some of the policies and targets driving the need for investment in new clean power and the electricity transmission network that is required to enable this. It also explains the electricity network planning processes that have established the need for these reinforcements.
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Pathway to 2030 - Tower Crossings - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
In this document you can learn more about the composition of our 400kV towers, and the approach we take when our overhead lines must cross existing assets.
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Delivering Legacy Benefits through Pathway to 2030 Projects - May 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 6.9 MB
This document details how this investment programme will ensure a reliable supply of electricity, lead to thousands of jobs across the region, a programme of skills development ensuring a workforce fit for the future and place multi-million-pound contracts with the local supply chain benefitting local communities.
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Biodiversity Net Gain - Handout - April 24.pdf
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- Date:
- 13 May 2024
- Size:
- 1.2 MB
We will always look to minimise the potential impacts from our activities and achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This document explains our approach and includes some examples of initiatives carried out at our sites.
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Delivering a Postive Environmental Legacy Booklet
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- Date:
- 12 February 2024
- Size:
- 5 MB
This booklet describes our approach to leaving a positive environmental legacy, including our marine biodiversity approach.
Project Documents
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Cable Route Maps.pdf
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- Date:
- 22 May 2024
- Size:
- 7.4 MB
SSEN Transmission is about to start Ground Investigation works along the underground cable route for the Western Isles HVDC starting the week commencing the 27th of May 2024 for approximately 12 weeks along the A835 and A832. There will be between 3 to 4 squads working along the route at any one time and a shift pattern of 12-day fortnight from 08:00 -18:00 or till daylight hours allow. The duration of time at each location along the route will be dependent on how deep the trial pit/borehole is, but a rough estimation is between half a day and up to three days.
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western-isles-press-release-image.01-jpg.jpg
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- Image
- Date:
- 08 March 2024
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- 136.2 KB
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Western Isles Connection - Consultation and Information Booklet - November 2023
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- Date:
- 30 October 2023
- Size:
- 15.4 MB
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Western-Isles-A5-Mailer-Oct23.pdf
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- Date:
- 24 October 2023
- Size:
- 78.9 KB
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Western-Isles-A5-Mailer (004).pdf
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- Date:
- 15 August 2023
- Size:
- 430 KB
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Western-Isles-Consultation-Booklet.pdf
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- Date:
- 15 April 2023
- Size:
- 18.2 MB
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Beauly Main Site Options Map with Legend.pdf
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- Date:
- 01 March 2023
- Size:
- 70.5 MB
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Spittal to Beauly consultation booklet
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- Date:
- 20 February 2023
- Size:
- 67.5 MB
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Spittal to Beauly Poster
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- Date:
- 20 February 2023
- Size:
- 101 KB
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arnish-booklet-artwork-digi-single-pages.pdf
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- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 3.5 MB
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
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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