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Beauly to Loch Buidhe 275Kv Overhead Line Reinforcement

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Beauly to Loch Buidhe 275Kv Overhead Line Reinforcement Beauly to Loch Buidhe 275kV Overhead Line Reinforcement About Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission plc Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution is part of the SSE plc group pf companies. We own, maintain and invest in the electricity networks in the north of Scotland – the electricity transmission network (132kV and above) and the electricity distribution network (below 132 kV). In Scotland, Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution is made up of two businesses: Scottish Hydro electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) owns and maintains the electricity transmission network across the north and west of Scotland, in some of the UKs most challenging terrain; and Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) operates the high and low voltage electricity network that distributes electricity to around 700,000 customers in north mainland Scotland and Scottish islands. SHE Transmission owns around 5,000km of electricity transmission infrastructure which spans about 70% of the land mass in Scotland. Electricity networks like this provide a physical link between electricity generators and electricity users. We have three main objectives over the next decade: To keep the lights on for our customers To invest for a greener future; and To minimise, as far as possible, our impact on the environment. Our network crosses some of the UK’s most challenging terrain – including some circuits which are over 750 metres above sea level and up to 250km long. The landscape and environment that contribute to the challenges we face also give the area a rich resource for renewable energy generation. There is enough demand to connect from new wind, hydro and marine generators which rely on us to provide a physical link between the new sources of power and electricity users. We are delivering a major programme of investment to ensure that the network is ready to meet these needs. Keeping the lights on and supporting growth Safety Safety is our first priority in everything we do. We aim to be among the safest companies in the world and will keep looking for new ways to keep our staff, contractors and the public safe. Last year our staff made 96 visits to schools in their own communities to teach children how to be safe around electricity. When it comes to safety, we think you can’t start early enough. Investing in skills for the future We are committed to investing in the long term future of our business and of the communities where we work. That’s why we offer a range of industry-leading training and apprenticeship programmes, with opportunities for everyone from school-leavers to graduate engineers. In recent years, we have also delivered an award-winning transmission trainee programme in partnership with Inverness College UHI and Balfour Beatty. To find out more about our training and career opportunities, check regularly at www.sse.com/careers Proud to be an active part of the community Our volunteering programme means every member of our staff can take a day of their time each year to work on a community project of their choice. In the five years since the launch of the programme, we’ve helped over 2,100 projects, with big-hearted employees dedicating an amazing 24,000 days (equivalent to 194,000 hours) to projects that matter in the communities where we live and work. If there is a community or charity project that you think our staff might be able to help with, just ask a member of the team for more information. 1 Beauly to Loch Buidhe 275kV Overhead Line Reinforcement Project Background The area between Beauly and Loch Buidhe is currently served by a number of Overhead Lines (OHL’s) operating at 132kV and 275kV. The 275kV OHL was originally constructed to transmit the electricity generated by the Dounreay nuclear power station to Caithness. The existing 132kV OHL between Beauly and Shin is now at capacity and reinforcement is therefore required. Due to the continued forecast growth in renewable energy generation in the North of Scotland we need to look at ways to reinforce our network in the Caithness area beyond the works that already proposed, mainly the Caithness – Moray project. Generation Connections in the Area The North of Scotland has some of the largest renewable resources in the UK. In recent years there has been a large increase in renewable generation North of Beauly which is driving the need for further transmission reinforcement in the area. By reinforcing the network between Beauly and Loch Buidhe, new generation will be able to connect to the main transmission system. New generation connections in the area include: Strathywood - 84MW Balnacoil – 45MW Orkney – Up to 200MW (marine and onshore wind) Limekins – 90MW Bad a Cheo – 30MW Meygen & Duncansby – 332MW (marine) Gordonbush Extension – 38MW (SSE) Wathegar II – 22MW Glencassley – 65MW (SSE) Other generation applications are in process. Project Description The aim of the project is to reinforce the existing transmission network by replacing the existing 132kV overhead line between Beauly and Loch Buidhe with a higher capacity 275kV double circuit supported on steel lattice towers over a route length of approximately 65km. The main elements of the work to be undertaken as part of this project are: Connection into the existing 275kV substation at Beauly (no extension of Beauly Substation is required to accommodate this) Construction of a new 275kV double circuit overhead line from Beauly to Loch Buidhe Connection into the proposed substation at Fyrish (substation completion due in 2017) Connection into the proposed substation at Loch Buidhe (substation completion due 2017) Decommissioning and removal of the existing 132kV overhead line between Beauly and Shin 2 Overhead lines – initial route corridors being considered The initial OHL route corridors being considered at this stage are as follows: West Route Corridor Option – A route west of the existing OHL’s avoiding populated areas wherever possible along the north of the Cromarty Firth; Central Route Corridor Option – Closely follows the existing 132kV and 275kV OHL’s; East Route Corridor Option – A route east of the existing OHL’s avoiding the Ben Wyvis mountain range. It should be noted that the OHL route corridor options are indicative at this stage and that further detailed engineering and environmental assessments will be required. 1 Beauly to Loch Buidhe 275kV Overhead Line Reinforcement Project timeline The project is at a very early stage of the optioneering process and timescales are indicative at this stage. Complete feasibility design – 2014/2015 Progress Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the OHL – 2016/2017 Land wayleaves agreements progressed – 2016/2017 Submit Section 37 – November 2017 Contract tendering and procurement – 2018 Consent decision anticipated – 2018 Construction start – 2019 Phased completion and commissioning - 2021/2022 Initial proposed OHL route corridors for consideration It is possible that we will use one route in its entirety, a combination or alternatives. The preferred route is therefore subject to change once further work and consultation has been undertaken. No decisions have been made by us regarding a preferred OHL route and your input into this process will be sought. The approach in identifying and assessing possible corridors capable of accommodating the proposed new OHL is consistent with our guidance (Holford Rules) on the routing of high voltage steel lattice towers. We will continue to work with our environmental consultants and overhead line engineers to identify a technically feasible and economically viable OHL route within the preferred corridor which will give rise to: • The least disruption to the amenity of people living and working in the area; • The least impact on the physical and natural environment and on nationally important species, habitats and cultural assets; • The least disruption to current land use and management practices; and • The least disruption to existing and proposed infrastructure. To allow work to be carried out safely, a clearance of 50m needs to be maintained between any new OHL and existing OHL wherever they run parallel. Other Considerations • Corridors are indicative at this stage and the width of each is approximately 1.0km wide, within which the OHL would be routed. • The central corridor option follows the existing 132kV OHL wherever possible. • The existing 132kV OHL and associated towers between Beauly and Shin will be dismantled on completion of the project. • A more detailed OHL route will be developed later in the project once a preferred route corridor has been identified. Consenting process The proposed OHL would require consent under Section 37 of The Electricity Act 1989 and would be subject to determination by the Scottish Ministers. This will be subject to rigorous environmental appraisal which would assess impacts on ecology and ornithology; soils and hydrology; cultural heritage; habitat and flora; and landscape character and visual amenity. The appraisal would evaluate potential environmental impacts of the preferred OHL route and identify where appropriate, measures to mitigate against such impacts. Beauly to Loch Buidhe 275kV Overhead Line Reinforcement The proposed new overhead line tower will be larger than the existing towers along the route. This is required to accommodate the demand for generation connections in the area. One advantage of the use of larger towers is that the distance between towers is greater resulting in less towers in total being required. Overhead
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