Overview
Status: Early Development
About the Project
The existing substation at Willowdale Place and the Clayhills Substation at South College Street supplies the distribution network in Aberdeen and were constructed the late 1960s. The entire outdoor electrical plant has now reached the end of its design life, with the impact of the coastal environment having taken a considerable toll on its condition, meaning maintenance is becoming increasingly challenging.
The original design of the substations does not have the functionality of modern standards, and the Clayhills substation is not able to be replaced under current standards, in its current location due to space constrictions. Therefore, we are proposing to update the Willowdale site with an improved arrangement of modern plant that accommodates both Willowdale and Clayhills GSPs. This will provide a network capable of the demands of the country’s Net Zero ambitions.
The works will comprise:
- Replacement of the four grid transformers, with more efficient modern counterparts of a higher rating
- Replacement of the open busbar arrangement with a modern indoor 132,000V (132kV) switchboard
- Upgrades to the control systems and standby systems, to provide a more reliable service
- Removal of the old outdoor equipment
- Upgrades to the site security arrangements and access road
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
-
-
Demolition Work to Commence 18 September 2023
Demolition of the existing Foundry building on Willowdale Place is due to commence week beginning 18 September 2023. BAM Nuttall Limited has been appointed to undertake the works, with specialist subcontractors, Clarke Demolition, undertaking the building demolition. There will be additional specialist support to remove any contaminated materials such as asbestos sheeting. Environmental surveys have been undertaken and mitigation measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of protected species, including bats.
This work will last until Spring 2024 with a short break over the Christmas period. Once demolition is complete, the ground will be remediated to remove contamination before construction can commence on a new building which will be used to house electrical equipment.
During this time, there will be a significant volume of increased vehicle traffic and disruption to Willowdale Place and we are grateful to all local businesses and residents for their patience during these essential works. To ensure the public’s safety, pedestrian access via Willowdale Place will be temporarily removed during certain aspects of the demolition works. -
Temporary Removal of Car Parking
As part of our work to build new critical infrastructure next to the existing site, we will be carrying out further demolition work of the Aberdeen Foundries at 23-41 Willowdale Place from week commencing 28 August 2023. This demolition work will continue until approximately January 2024.
With this in mind, there will be NO PARKING along the eastern foundry wall in the complex of 283-285 King St, Aberdeen AB24 5AN from 28 August 2023 for approximately six months. Please ensure that any vehicle parked along this wall is removed BEFORE 27 August 2023, otherwise we may be forced to remove it for you.
Should you have any concerns regarding the above information, or pertaining to the project in general, then please feel free to contact john.mckellar@sse.com.
-
Planning Application Submitted
SSEN Transmission are delighted to confirm we have now submitted our planning application to Aberdeen City Council regarding our proposed extension and upgrade of existing 132kV electricity substation including gridsupply point (GSP) and new substation building at Willowdale Place, Aberdeen.
Should you wish to view our application in full and submit formal comment to the council, our application is available to be viewed via the Aberdeen City Council planning portal, using reference 221537/DPP or by visiting the link below: -
Feedback Period Closed
The feedback period following the recent public consultation events held in June is now closed. All responses received will now be reviewed ahead of submission of a planning application.Feedback Period Open
The project team would like to extend thanks to all members of the public and interested parties who took the time to come along to our public consultation events that were held on the 28th of June and to those that visited our virtual online consultation and submitted questions to the team via the live text chat function on the 30th of June. We hope you found the consultations informative and beneficial. If you were unable to join any of the events, all the content that was presented on our proposals can be found within 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 is open until 28th of July 2022. -
Public Consultation Events
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 facilitate the installation of two new 60MVA 132/33kV transformers, along with appropriate 132kV and 33kV switchgear to create a new Grid Supply Point (GSP) adjacent to the existing Willowdale 132kV substation in Aberdeen. The face to face consultation will be held at the following locations: Aberdeen Arts Centre Tuesday 28th of June, 2-7pm. These are open door drop in sessions, open to all members of the public and interested parties. The virtual consultation events will be taking place on: Thursday 30th of June between 1-3pm & 5-7pm.
The virtual consultation exhibition has been designed to be fully interactive, allowing for presentation of key project information and plans, as well as providing an opportunity to ask questions about the project. Visitors will be able to engage directly with the project team, via a live instant message chat function, where they can ask any questions they might have about the project and share their feedback on the current proposals. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Community Liaison Manager: Dav Lynch (dav.s.lynch@sse.com)
Documents
-
ssen-willowdale-gsp-consultation-event-collateral-12pp-booklet-26222-digital.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 4.3 MB
-
ssen-willowdale-gsp-consultation-event-collateral-a4-poster-26223-digital.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 18 September 2022
- Size:
- 611.1 KB
FAQs
FAQs
Recite me
To make use of this function please click on the 3 'A's' button at the bottom left of the website.
