Beauly to Peterhead overhead power line application submitted

Energy distribution firm SSEN Transmission has submitted an application to Scottish ministers for its Beauly to Peterhead overhead line project.

The scheme, spanning 115 miles (186km) from the Highlands to Aberdeenshire, forms part of its £22bn Pathway to 2030 programme.

The programme is designed to deliver upgrades to the electricity transmission system across the UK, and is aimed at meeting clean power and energy security targets.

Under the plans, three new substations would be built, with convertor stations also constructed at either end of the line. Scottish government ministers will now consider the application before making a decision within 12 months.

SSEN said the need for the project had already been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator, Ofgem.

The section 37 application comes following a number of consultation events, which the energy distribution company described as “one of the biggest public consultation exercises the north of Scotland has ever seen.”

As part of the proposal, the existing 132kV overhead line that runs from Beauly to Knocknagael would be removed.

Alison Hall, director of development for SSEN Transmission, said submitting the application was “another key moment” in delivering energy security and meeting clean power targets.

She added that the investment in the network was a “major driver of jobs and economic activity” and had been shaped by feedback received during consultation.

Full details of the project can be viewed on a dedicated page on the SSEN website.

It is one of a number of schemes around the country aimed at upgrading the energy network.

However, opponents say they risk spoiling scenic areas, affecting cultural sites and having a detrimental impact on forestry and wildlife.