Proposed Gills Bay 132kV

Project Background

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission) is the transmission licence holder in the north of Scotland and has a duty under Section 9 of the Electricity Act 1989 to facilitate competition in the generation and supply of electricity. The company also has obligations to offer non-discriminatory terms for connection to the transmission system, both for new generation and for new sources of electricity demand.

In March 2010, the Crown Estate announced the successful companies that will develop marine generation in the Round 1 lease areas in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters. This includes a generation potential of up to 1600 MW (wave & tidal). Two tidal developers in the vicinity of Gills Bay KDYH DFFHSWHG 6+( 7UDQVPLVVLRQ¶V connection offers, phased between 2016 and 2018/19.

System studies have established that this anticipated capacity exceeds that available via the existing network in the north of Scotland. There is also currently no transmission infrastructure in the Gills Bay area where some of the marine generation is to be located. As a result, SHE Transmission is proposing to construct a new 22km double circuit 132 kilovolt (kV) (1 kV = 1000 volts) overhead line (OHL) supported on lattice steel towers between a proposed new substation south of Thurso (Thurso South) and a new substation proposed at Philips Mains, south of Gills Bay (Gills Bay substation).

Helping to Secure a Renewable Future ² Proposed Gills Bay 132kV

Source: SSE Power Distribution RIIO-T1 Price Control Period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2021 - Supporting Document 5 Source: The Crown Estate - Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Strategic Area Review Project, July 2013

Consultation Process

As well as endeavouring to select the best possible connection option (route and conductor support type combination), we want to keep everyone affected by the proposal informed of our intentions. We firmly believe that early and regular communication and consultation Have Your Say with those likely to be affected by the proposal forms a critical part of its development. This exhibition is your opportunity to comment on and ask questions In order to address the need for the proposals a series of studies to determine technical about our proposals so far. We would greatly appreciate it if you would feasibility, economic viability, land use and any environmental constraints have been take the time to fill out our short questionnaire and post it in the undertaken. This included corridor studies to examine options for the reinforcement of comments box. transmission infrastructure in Caithness, site selection studies to identify a proposed substation location at Philips Mains, and a routing study which evaluated alternative route Alternatively, you can contact our Liaison Manager: alignments and conductor support type combinations. Gavin Steel As part of these studies we consulted with the Highland Council, statutory and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc non-statutory bodies and other interested parties to obtain information and feedback. We 10 Henderson Road also undertook a public exhibition in June 2011 regarding the Gills Bay substation site Inverness selection. Following this event a proposed site at Phillips Mains was chosen as the IV1 1SN preferred site. The Gills Bay substation will be the subject of a separate application for E: [email protected] planning permission in 2014 and a further public exhibition will be held at this time. T: 07584 313481

A Consultation Document on the proposed 132kV OHL route alignment and design has Please submit your comments on the OHL proposal at the end of the been published. A copy of this can be found on line at www.sse.com/Gills Bay. Copies event today or by 9th September 2013. If you require longer to respond have also been placed at The Highland Council Service Point in Thurso, Caithness please let us know and we will endeavour to accommodate this. Horizons in Thurso, and The Highland Council Planning & Building Standards office in Wick.

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Project Description

The aim of the project is to provide electricity transmission infrastructure in the Gills Bay area where marine generation is to be located. The main elements of the project are as follows: Construction of a new double circuit 132 kV OHL (lattice steel tower) from the proposed Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Thurso South substation (currently being progressed via a different project) to the proposed Gills Bay Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation (c. 22km). Construction of a 132 kV / 33 kV GIS substation located at Phillips Mains Farm in the vicinity of Gills Bay. Connection of the new 132 kV OHL to the proposed AIS substation at Thurso South and the GIS substation at Phillips Mains Farm.

Project Program Landscape in the vicinity of the Hill of Olrig

The current programme for the Gills Bay Substation is shown below: Develop and compare substation sites options Complete Identify preferred substation sites Complete Undertake public exhibition for preferred substation sites Complete Submit Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for substation site Early 2014 PAN Exhibition for Substation Town & Country Planning Application Early 2014 Complete Environmental Appraisal Summer 2014 Apply for Town and Country Planning consent Summer 2014 Start Construction Summer 2015 Phased completion and commissioning 2017

The current programme for the Gills Bay 132 kV Overhead Line is shown below: Develop and compare OHL route options Complete Identify preferred route for overhead lines Complete Publish consultation document on overhead lines Complete Undertake public exhibition for overhead line consultation Sept 2013 Refine the preferred route and select a proposed route Sept 2013 Complete Environmental Impact Assessment Summer 2014 Apply for Section 37 consent Summer 2014 Start Construction Summer 2015 Phased completion and commissioning 2017 Overhead Routing Study Process

We have worked closely with a team of environmental consultants and overhead line engineers to identify a technically feasible, economically Project Overview Map viable, new transmission OHL which gives rise to:

least disruption to the amenity of people living and working in the area; least impact on the physical and natural environment, and on nationally important species, habitats and cultural assets; least disruption to current land use and management practices; and least disruption to existing and proposed infrastructure.

A number of route options were assessed (see opposite), taking into account the technical requirements to connect to the existing electricity network. A process of analysis and comparison of potential routes was then followed. The assessment has been based on:

detailed baseline data on land use and environmental character and sensitivity, obtained from desk sources and site visits; identification of potential effects, to inform strategies for enhancing positive outcomes and for avoiding, reducing, controlling or offsetting potentially undesirable or significant negative outcomes; initial consultations with key stakeholders to inform the above and the subsequent refinement of the routing study and selection of the preferred route.

The preferred overhead line alignment is route option 1A, which is shown in greater detail on Poster 5. The final proposed route will be determined after this detailed consultation and will be subject to an environmental impact assessment. The preferred route is considered to represent the optimum balance of technical, economic and environmental feasibility.

The precise route alignment of the OHL and the location of individual towers will be determined following completion of ongoing detailed surveys to identify engineering, land use or environmental constraints which may require localised modifications to the route.

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Gills Bay 132kV

The Preferred Overhead Line Tower Design

Three conductor support types were considered initially: 1. Lattice steel towers; 2. Twin Trident woodpole (Comprising two 132 kV OHL circuits supported on Trident woodpole supports, running in parallel along a single route alignment); or 3. Dual Trident woodpole (Comprising two 132 kV HL circuits support on Trident woodpole supports following different alignments between the two substations):

Initial engineering and business case studies concluded that the dual Trident configuration did not present a feasible alternative. This configuration was therefore not considered further.

Following environmental analysis, route Option 1A was identified as the most appropriate route option for either lattice or twin trident. A subsequent comparison was then completed of whether the preferred route could better accommodate lattice steel towers or twin Trident woodpoles. This analysis concluded that on balance of the considerations that lattice steel towers were the preferred option. The following table details indicative key design paramaters of each type of tower.

Indicative Key Design Parameters

Overhead Line Tower Options

Single 132kV trident woodpole

The above L7 132kV OHL lattice steel tower is indicative of the tower type proposed for the preferred route option.

Construction

High voltage OHL construction typically follows a standard sequence of events which are:

complete pre-construction surveys, as required by a construction environmental management plan; establish access (including any necessary vegetation management); install tower foundations; assemble and erect towers; Indicative design of a single 132kV trident woodpole. The trident option considered for the Gills Bay project was a double trident comprising erect temporary scaffolds and protection to roads and rivers; two 132kV OHL circuits running in parallel along a single route erect conductors (wires); alignment. dismantle and remove temporary scaffolds and protection; and re-instate tower sites and remove temporary access tracks.

It is anticipated that the construction programme would last approximately 18 months. A notional start date in July 2015 would allow the completion of construction by December 2016. The detailed construction phasing and programme will be subject to change as the design progresses and also due to necessary consents and wayleaves being agreed.

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Gills Bay 132kV

Route Selection - Thurso South Substation to Loch of Durran

A summary of the environmental sensitivities between the proposed Thurso South Substation and Castletown are as follows:

The main environmental designations in this part of the study area are the Weydale Quarry SSSI, Loch of Durran SSSI, and Dunnet Links SSSI. Habitat representing potential for Ground Water Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE), as protected under the Water Framework Directive, has also been identified in this area. Ornithology data suggests the area between the Hill of Olrig and Wester Olrig Cottages has pronounced clusters of bird activity, including Greylag Geese, Whooper Swan and Hen Harrier. Tulloch of Shalmstry Scheduled Monument and a number of other Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings associated with Olrig House are located in proximity to the proposed routes. These features are sensitive to potential effects either through direct disturbance or as a result of effects on setting. A number of regional and/or local environmental sensitivities exist through this part of the study area, including the settlement at Castletown and other residential receptors scattered throughout the area. Route Selection - Loch of Durran to Gills Bay

A summary of the environmental sensitivities between the Castletown and the proposed Gills Bay Substation are as follows: The main environmental designations in this part of the study area are Loch of Heilen and the Loch of Mey, which form component parts of the Caithness Lochs SPA and Ramsar site. The Dunnet Head SSSI is located within the north of this part of the study area, with the Dunnet Head Scenic Landscape Area and North Caithness Cliffs (Dunnet Head) SPA designations beyond that, to the north. Habitat representing potential for GWDTE has also been identified in this area. Ornithology data indicates pronounced activity with this part of the study area, relating to SPA designated bird species, particularly around Loch Heilen and also at the proposed Gills Bay substation site. A further focus of activity for Pink Footed goose has been recorded to the north of Lochend at Syster. Hen harrier activity has also been recorded on Hill of Slickly. A number of Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings exist in this part of the study area, including the Castle of Mey (Grade 1 Listed Building), the Earney Hillock FKDPEHUHGFDLUQVFKHGXOHGPRQXPHQWDQGWKH(DUO¶V&DLUQVFKHGXOHGPRQXPHQW7KHVHIHDWXUHVDUHVHQVLWLYHWRSRWHQWLDOHIIHFWV either through direct disturbance or as a result of effects on setting.

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Gills Bay 132kV - Preferred OHL Alignment

Based on findings of the route selection process Route 1A was chosen as the preferred connection option. This route extends from the proposed new Thurso South substation, near Geiselittle, to a proposed new substation in the vicinity of Gills Bay (Philips Mains), via the south side of the Hill of Olrig and Moss of Greenland, and comprises a lattice steel tower structure.

The proposals have been developed through a detailed analysis of various route options, followed by an environmental analysis of potential impacts. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and design process will be important in giving detailed consideration to the development and integration of mitigation measures to address potentially significant environmental effects which are identified.

Draft Limits of Deviation

Through an iterative process of design and subsequent appraisal, indicative draft three dimensional Limits of Deviation (LOD) have been developed capable of accommodating the proposals in a manner which minimises the potential for adverse environmental impact whilst giving sufficient flexibility for establishing access, tower siting and final routing. This draft LOD remains indicative at this stage, and will be developed further during the detailed design process and during consultation and may be subject to amendment before the proposed LOD, which will form part of the application for consent, can be confirmed.

Questions for Consideration

When providing comment and feedback, SHE Transmission would be grateful for your consideration of the questions below:

1. Is the rationale for the project clearly set out in the Consultation Document? 2. Is the approach to the selection of the preferred connection option, identifying the optimum balance of technical, economic and environmental feasibility, clearly set out? 3. Are there any factors you consider may have been overlooked or given either insufficient or too much consideration during the selection process? 4. Do you have any other comments about the preferred route? The Next Stages

Following the completion of the consultation process SHE Transmission will review all comments received to develop and refine the proposal and select a proposed OHL route.

SHE Transmission will then commence detailed design of the OHL and undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposal which forms part of an application for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. SHE Transmission currently intends to submit this application in Summer 2014, after which there will be a formal consultation period when comments can be submitted directly to the Scottish Government.

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Gills Bay Substation - Background Substation Location Map

A new 132/33 kV substation is required as part of the Gills Bay 132kV project. The substation will connect marine renewables in the Pentland Firth to the high voltage transmission network at the proposed Thurso South substation, currently being developed under a separate project.

SHE Transmission previously identified eight possible sites for the substation (see opposite), which were the subject of a site selection process. These were selected through a process of high level screening giving due consideration to technical feasibility, proximity to the generators seeking connection, cost and known environmental constraints.

Discussions were held with the Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and other non statutory bodies in order to gain a greater understanding of the key factors likely to influence development at the site. A public exhibition was held in June 2011 to seek comments from the other interested parties, including the general public.

These consultations, as well as further assessment of the technical issues, have led us to our proposed site at Site F to the north of Phillips Mains Farm. A pre-planning meeting with the Highland Council has been undertaken, and the Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) will be submitted in early 2014.

Gills Bay Substation - Description

A new access will be constructed from the public highway to the proposed site. The footprint of the proposed substation would be approximately 25,000 M2 on completion of construction The tallest structure within the site will be the proposed control building which would be of an agricultural type structure, approx. 43m x 27m x 11m high. The site would include parking and manoeuvring space for operation and maintenance of the facility. Existing trees will be retained for screening purposes and further landscaping will be placed in appropriate places on site. This will be determined following the landscape and visual assessment undertaken for the Town and Country Planning application.

Substation Layout Plan

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