The ministers agreed with the Beauly-Denny public inquiry reporters’ recognition of the need to reinforce the electricity network. They also stated in January that, subject to SHETL’s and SP Transmission’s proposals, they do not anticipate any additional delays to the upgrade as a result of the conditions, SSE said.
SHETL said that it would to undertake preliminary construction works this year, with a further four summers of construction work required to complete the new line.
Conditions associated with the consents to build the new line include the requirement to remove a total of 109km of existing overhead transmission line, supported by pylons, in the Highland and Perth and Kinross areas, in addition to the existing 220km Beauly-Denny overhead line being removed.
The new 400kV overhead line between Beauly and Denny will not pass through any of Scotland’s designated National Scenic Areas, through what the public inquiry report described as sensitive routeing.
As a result, the section of the Beauly-Denny line passing through the Cairngorm National Park will be reduced in length, from 35km at present to 28km, and will be closer to the western boundary of the park.
Colin Hood, chief operating officer of SSE, said: “In granting consent for a new overhead line between Beauly and Denny, Scottish ministers imposed very substantial conditions. While the new line, like its predecessor, will be overhead, these conditions mean there will be a net reduction of over 100km of pylon lines in highland Scotland as a result of the Beauly-Denny upgrade.
“The conditions will require significant technical, engineering and environmental resources and will cost tens of millions of pounds. We are aiming to make good progress in satisfying Scottish Ministers with regard to them, we have already started consulting with key stakeholders and we are planning to start preliminary construction works this year.”
