SSEN Transmission’s planning application for substation upgrade
SSEN Transmission has submitted a planning application to The Highland Council to upgrade the Fort Augustus substation.
An aerial view of Fort Augustus substation (Image credit: SSEN Transmission)
UK, Scotland: SSEN Transmission has submitted a planning application to The Highland Council to upgrade the Fort Augustus substation, part of plans to transform the network in the north of Scotland to support net zero and energy security targets. The Fort Augustus 400 kV Substation Upgrade project envisions an extension to the existing substation at Auchterawe, supporting a proposed uprating to the existing Beauly-Denny overhead line to operate at 400 kV on both circuits (one has been operating at 275 kV since energisation).
The extension includes the construction of a platform to accommodate new substation buildings, and the replacement of existing infrastructure which is at the end of its operational life. The application includes proposals for a temporary construction compound.
The project proposes a grid connection for the first large scale pumped storage project developed in the UK for more than 40 years in Coire Glas. The Highland Council had previously approved an application to install new equipment at the substation, which has been superseded by the latest application, reflecting the need to upgrade the network in the north of Scotland to connect the region’s renewable resources.
Rebecca Simister, Senior Development Project Manager from SSEN Transmission, said: “We are pleased to have submitted our planning application seeking approval for an upgrade to our Fort Augustus substation. The upgrade, which will be subject to a Landscape and Habitat Management Plan to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain, is a key enabler to our proposals to upgrade the existing Beauly-Denny overhead line which will not require any additional overhead infrastructure. These projects are a critical part of our £20 billion investment to upgrade the transmission network in support of national net zero and energy security ambitions, and we look forward to working with The Highland Council to progress our application.”
Source: SSEN Transmission
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