–Moray Transmission Reinforcement Caithness News 2016 About Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission

“Throughout Scottish Hydro Electric Our responsibilities also extend the life of our Transmission plc (SHE to ensuring that there is sufficient network capacity to allow new projects, we aim Transmission) is a member of to work positively sources of electricity generation the SSE plc group of companies. to be connected to the grid. with local We own and maintain the communities electricity transmission network Throughout the life of our projects, and keep people across the north of , we aim to work positively with local informed about communities and keep people informed what we are in some of the UK’s most about what we are doing. This is doing.” challenging terrain. particularly important when we are developing a proposal and we want Our activities are closely regulated to understand what local people think by the energy regulator Ofgem. about our plans.

Our licence requires us to develop and maintain an efficient, co-ordinated and economical system of electricity transmission.

Glossary of Terms

ABB – ASEA Brown, Boveri & Cie kV – Kilovolt AC – Alternating Current MMO – Marine Mammal Observers DC – Direct Current MMT – MMT Sweden AB DFL – Daviot Farms Limited MVA – Mega Volt Amp GIS – Gas Insulated Substation MW – Megawatt HDD – Horizontal Directional Drill Ofgem – Office of Gas and Electricity Markets HMSO – Her Majesty’s Stationery Office SFF – Scottish Fishermen’s Federation HVAC – High Voltage Alternating Current SHE – Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission HVDC – High Voltage Direct Current SNH – Scottish Natural Heritage Kg – Kilogram SSE – Scottish and Southern Energy km – Kilometre STG – Super Grid Transformers UHI – University of Highlands & Islands

Some drawings in this booklet are based on Ordnance Survey data. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown copyright and database right 2015, all rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number EL273236.

2 About the Caithness–Moray Projects

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. Our project teams working in Caithness have included answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about their work and I hope you will find the information useful.

To begin, I will give you an overview of the Caithness–Moray Projects. As you may be aware, the generation of electricity from renewable sources in the north of Scotland has been growing fast in recent years. That growth is forecast to continue in the years ahead, with proposed wind, wave and tidal generators contracted to connect.

To provide the capacity needed to accommodate this significant new generation, a major reinforcement of the transmission network serving the north of Scotland is needed.

In response, Scottish Hydro Electric Reinforcement of the onshore (SHE) Transmission is installing a transmission network between Dounreay subsea cable, capable of carrying up to and Mybster in the north, and between 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity Loch Buidhe and Beauly further south, between Caithness and Moray. With will improve the use of the existing associated reinforcement of the existing network in combination with the cable. onshore network, the project represents the largest investment in the North’s electricity network since the hydro development era of the 1950s. David Gardner Director The cable at the centre of SHE of Transmission Transmission’s plan uses High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology to transport power between converter stations at Spittal in Caithness and Blackhillock in Moray. This well established technology allows the efficient transmission of a large capacity of electricity across long distances.

3 Noss Head to Spittal HVDC land cable

“The route, with the exception of road, rail and water crossings is through agricultural land.”

Spittal Converter Station Proposed Route

During construction, this project is • Lorries for the delivery of all materials set to support over 100 new energy • Lorries for the delivery of all plant careers across the north of Scotland. to be utilised on site Importantly, local people will benefit • Contractors’ site vehicles such from the hundreds of jobs it is as transit vans and 4x4 vehicles supporting, including via SSE’s • SHE Transmission site vehicles such industry-leading apprentice, trainee as 4x4 vehicles engineer and graduate programmes. Extensive surveys have already been The proposed Caithness cable route is completed to find the best route – and an underground circuit which will run every stage of the installation process will from the landfall point at Noss Head be closely monitored to ensure the cable to the site of a new converter station is buried and protected safely. adjacent to the new Spittal substation. The route, with the exception of road, Will there be road closures? rail and water crossings is through agricultural land or rough grazing. There will be the requirement during the course of the works to close single lanes. The equipment that will There will also be temporary traffic signals erected to allow the installation be utilised in the installation of the conductor. These works will of the land cable includes: be planned in conjunction with The • Mobile cranes Council and are required to • Cable winches ensure the safety of operations staff. • Tracked excavators Should full road closures be required • Bull dozers we will notify the local community • Tractor and trailers in advance and work with them to • Dumper trucks minimise the impact. • Drilling rigs

4 Noss Head to Spittal HVDC land cable

Hydraulic Winch

Caterpillar Roller Cable Trailer

What will the working hours be? • Reinstatement of land is due to commence as soon as weather Standard site working hours: permits – each section will be Weekdays reinstated back to original levels. 07.00 – 19.00 Hours Who are SHE Transmission’s Saturdays and Sundays 07.00 – 19.00 Hours contractors for these works? The cable installation works have been “ABB’s scope of awarded to ABB, who have awarded *Any intrusive work will be restricted to supply includes the civil installation package of works Monday – Saturday core working hours. submarine and to local supply chain partner Daviot underground Farms Limited (DFL). Planned works 2016 cables covering • Cable Installation ongoing between a total ABB’s scope of supply includes Spittal and Noss Head. transmission submarine and underground cables • Noss head to drill out 600m (approx.) covering a total transmission length length of nearly under the sea bed to allow the subsea of nearly 160km. 160km.” cable to be brought ashore and joined to the land cable. Drilling at Noss Head The advance and enabling works is due to commence end February and for this project commenced in continue until end June. Compound March 2015 and cable installation at Noss Head has been constructed to works commenced in October 2015. accommodate drilling equipment. The completion date for the • Due to sections of deep peat at underground cable works is Tarroul Moss it has been decided programmed for September 2017. to opt for 3km (approx.) Horizontal Directional Drill over conventional construction. This is environmentally less intrusive and safer.

5 Spittal AC Substation and HVDC Converter Station

“Approximately 210,000 tonnes of rock have been extracted from the site to provide the necessary material for the creation of the working platform. The rock was extracted by means of drilling and blasting, some 71,500kg of explosive was used on approximately 23km of drill holes.”

The site of the AC and HVDC substations is just north of the village of Spittal in the Scottish highlands

The project at Spittal consists of The structural frame for the GIS AC a 132/275 GIS AC Substation and Substation is now complete with the a HVDC Converter station. A design roofing and cladding due to commence and build contract for the AC at the end of February 2016. The GIS Substation and the HVDC Converter building is due for completion by the station was awarded to an ABB/Balfour end of August 2016 at which time the Beatty consortium. The AC substation switchgear and control panels will be is due for completion May 2017 in line installed. with the overall CMS project. The HVDC converter station is linked The GIS Substation has four super grid to the AC Substation, and switches the transformers. Each transformer weighs supply from AC (Alternating Current) to DC approximately 170 tonnes and have (Direct Current) which is a more efficient been successfully installed on their means to transfer electricity over long plinths on site. These are due to be cold distances. It will also be linked, via land and commissioned by the end of March 2016. subsea cable, to another HVDC and AC substation at Blackhillock in Morayshire.

6 Spittal AC Substation and HVDC Converter Station

The HVDC Converter Station will Local Benefits “At peak it is be a sizeable building and will be There are a number of local contractors anticipated constructed under a design and build that up to 200 contract awarded to ABB and their involved. The bulk earthworks at civil contractor. ABB mobilised to Spittal have been carried out by workers will be site in March 2016 and have started a subcontractor of Balfour Beatty on site…” construction, including setting out works Regional Civil Engineering, Edward McKay, and excavations for foundations. The EMCK. They are a local civil engineering HVDC main circuit equipment will start contractor from Brora and have carried to arrive in spring 2017 with electric out the works associated with the earth install scheduled to start Easter 2017. moving and rock processing at Spittal.

What will the working hours be? Services being provided by local suppliers at this time include: Weekdays • Security and fencing April – September 07.00 – 19.00 Hours • Cleaning October – March 07.30 – 17.00 Hours • Catering • Concrete and tarmac supply Weekends • Labour and plant hire April – September 07.00 – 14.00 Hours • Steel frame manufacture and assembly October – March 07.30 – 14.00 Hours At peak it is anticipated that up to We are currently working to extended 200 personnel will be employed on winter working hours in order to maintain site, the majority of whom will require progress and minimise impact. accommodation and use local sources.

Planned works 2016 • Installation of four SGT in AC substation • Construction on DC Converter Station • Testing of all control panels for AC substation • Completion of AC substation and GIS Building

On-site processing of rock for the platform.

7 Dounreay–Mybster 275kV Reinforcement Project

“These Project Context • Construct an additional 132kV overhead upgrades will SHE Transmission is carrying out a line from Mybster to Spittal; and reinforce the number of upgrades to the electricity • An extension to the existing Mybster network and transmission network in the north of 132/33kV substation. Scotland. These upgrades will reinforce allow extra the network and allow extra capacity A new sealing end compound will also capacity for for new generators of renewable be required at Dounreay to connect new generators electricity to connect. the 275kV overhead line to Dounreay of renewable Substation. electricity to One of the proposed reinforcements is to the existing electricity transmission connect.” South Substation network between Dounreay and Planned works 2016 Mybster in Caithness. • The excavation and platform Main Project Elements preparation will be completed The project comprises the following to enable the concrete structures main elements: to commence • The overhead line steel towers • Replacement of the existing 132kV adjacent to the substation, for overhead line from Dounreay to Spittal the connections to the network, with a new 275kV overhead line; will be erected • A new 275/132/33kV electricity • The steel structures within the substation approximately 3.3km substation will be significantly to the south of Thurso, replacing progressed and the associated an existing 132/33kV substation; electrical works to get underway • There are four transformers to be delivered by June 2016 in a similar way to the Spittal AC Substation

Thurso Substation Autumn 2015

8 Dounreay–Mybster Proposed 275kV OHL Alignment

Proposed 275kV OHL Proposed 132kV OHL Existing 132kV OHL

Dounreay–Mybster Overhead Line Planned works 2016 • Access works to the steel tower construction sites will be nearing completion • 85% of the steel tower foundations will be completed and around 50% of the towers erected. Favourable weather conditions may help progress • We will also commence the installation of the wiring between Dounreay and Mybster Substation Thurso South Substations and this may Planned works 2016 include the use of helicopters and the erection of protection scaffolds above • The access to the substation from road crossings the A9 will be completed • The excavation and platform Dounreay Substation preparation has already been Planned works 2016 completed and the concrete and steel structures will be well progressed • The overhead line will terminate • Two grid transformers were delivered adjacent to the substation and to site between April and May 2016 the wires converted to underground cables to cross under the road. The site of the termination is called a sealing end compound and these works will be significantly progressed • Installation works within the existing substation will be well progressed and prepared for testing

Mybster Substation Autumn 2015

Dounreay Substation Autumn 2015 9 Gills Bay Reinforcement Project

“As the existing distribution network in the Gills Bay area does not have sufficient capacity to connect the planned marine developments, we are proposing to extend the transmission

network into Underground Cable the area.” Overhead Line Substations

Gills Bay Overhead Line, Underground Cable and Substations

Project Context The proposed upgrade comprises: A number of upgrades to the electricity • the construction of a new transmission network in the north of 132/33 kilovolt (kV) enclosed electricity Scotland are being carried out. This work substation in the Gills Bay area will reinforce the network and provide • the construction of a new 132kV extra capacity for new generators of overhead line on steel lattice towers electricity wishing to connect. from the proposed Gills Bay substation to the planned new Thurso South In March 2010 the Crown Estate leased substation ‘option areas’ in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters for the establishment Each marine generation developer is of marine generation developments. responsible for bringing their cables Two of these leased areas are in close ashore and installing any necessary proximity to Gills Bay and have a onshore infrastructure to connect to combined potential generation capacity the proposed new substation. of 500MW of tidal energy. Gills Bay As the existing distribution network Planned works 2016 in the Gills Bay area does not have • Habitat surveys will continue along sufficient capacity to connect the the route planned marine developments, we are • Detailed design work proposing to extend the transmission • Section 37 submitted network into the area. • Highland Council Planning application submitted for substation

10 Beauly–Dounreay Project (Phase 2)

Existing Network There will be strong interfaces The existing Beauly to Dounreay 275kV between this project and the other SHE overhead transmission circuit runs for Transmission network reinforcement works 153km. It comprises a Western circuit over the duration of all development, which runs the full length from Beauly construction and commissioning activities. to Dounreay and an Eastern circuit which originally ran from Beauly as far • Voltage of the line will remain as the former tapping compound to unchanged Invergordon Smelter at Ardross. • No additional towers will be erected • No increase in the height of existing Phase 1 Transmission Reinforcements towers and the new conductors will The SHE Transmission Beauly–Dounreay look the same as the existing ones Phase 1 Project commenced on site from ground level in October 2010 and involved the re-conductoring of the existing 275kV Beauly–Loch Buidhe Reconductor conductor between Beauly and Ardross. Planned works 2016 It also provided the installation of new • Contractor set up site compounds conductors on the east side of the (various locations along the route) existing double circuit 275kV tower line • New foundations for towers at from Ardross to Dounreay. substation (Loch Buidhe and Fyrish Substations only) Phase 2 Transmission Reinforcements • Reconductoring of 275kV overhead The Beauly–Dounreay Phase 2 line starts April 2016 reinforcements comprise:

• a new 275/132kV substation at Loch Buidhe;

• a new 275/132kV substation at Fyrish; and

• replacement of the existing 275kV eastern circuit conductor between Beauly and Loch Buidhe.

The new substations will house switchgear and transformers to support the upgraded overhead line and to allow capacity for future renewable energy projects to be connected between Beauly and Dounreay. Connection of these new substations to the existing overhead lines will require some localised amendments to overhead tower arrangements in the vicinity of the Fyrish and Loch Buidhe substations. Beauly–Loch Buidhe Overhead Line

11 Beauly–Dounreay Project (Phase 2)

Loch Buidhe Substation Planned works 2016 • All public road improvements completed • Foundations and bases for transformers and gantry in place • The completion of all electrical and mechanical engineering concluded • Overhead line tie-in started

Loch Buidhe Substation Autumn 2015

Fyrish Substation Planned works 2016 • All earth works concluded • Bellmouth and access road completed • Platforms built • Control building in place • Security fence in place

Fyrish Substation Autumn 2015

12 Caithness Switching Station

Project Context Proposal would accommodate three A large wind farm in Shetland is circuits with future provision for one contracted with National Grid to connect further connection if required. Building in 2021. SHE Transmission is developing is expected not to exceed 150m x 100m a proposal for a subsea cable to connect – final dimensions are dependent on to the Caithness–Moray HVDC system. further design work. A switching station is needed in Caithness to connect the Shetland link and manage Caithness Switching Station the flow of electricity between circuits Planned works 2016 from Spittal, Shetland and Moray. • Working on preferred site selection • Site investigation/Engineering What is an HVDC Switching Station? • Stakeholder Engagement/ A type of substation where the voltage Public Exhibitions does not change, so no transformers are • Planning submission to required. Switching stations are common The Highland Council on the existing HVAC transmission network and the main equipment involved is the same. Expected to be built indoors to protect equipment from the coastal environment.

13 Caithness–Moray Subsea Cable

Once the cables The marine works for the HDD comprises are installed, a small crane barge which will be there is very anchored above where the ducts pop out onto the sea bed. The crane barge little to show will work with divers to finish off the that they are installation of the ducts and make them there, except for ready for the pull-in of the cables in 2017. the navigation warning To understand the possible impacts markers. on the marine mammals in the area, we have completed a substantial Marine Mammal Risk Assessment and associated Mitigation Plans which have been reviewed and accepted by Marine Scotland. We are confident that the HDD work will not have an impact on the Marine European Protected Species in the area. However, we need to be sure that we do not have an impact. To do this, we will engage an Environmental Clerk of Works on the HDD site and Specialist Marine Mammal Observers The marine elements of the Caithness– (MMO) on the site when the HDDs are Moray HVDC project started in January due to emerge onto from the sea bed. 2016 with the establishment of the Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Compound at Noss head, just North of Wick.

The HDDs start on the cliff top and travel out under the cliffs and emerge onto the sea bed about 300m offshore where the water is just over 20m deep. Once the HDDs are drilled, a steel pipe will In the spring of 2016, we conducted be pushed through the hole, from land, a marine survey of the cable route from and will pop out onto the sea bed. Noss Head near Wick to Portgordon These steel pipes or ducts allow the power in Moray. The contractor will use cables to be pulled ashore without having two different boats for the work. to damage the cliffs or foreshore. Once the cables are installed, there is very little The smaller boat ‘Sea Beam’ will carry to show that they are there, except for the out the near shore surveys, with the navigation warning markers. assistance of an MMO observer support boat. The much larger survey vessel ‘Franklin’ will undertake the main offshore survey.

14 Caithness–Moray Subsea Cable

This is MMT’s survey vessel Franklin which will undertake surveys in deep water

The aim of these surveys is to check if Planned works 2016 the sea bed conditions have changed • Commencement of surveying since our previous surveys and to across full route check for any debris that may have • Conclusion of surveying been dropped on the cable route since then. The survey will use a mixture of tools to look at the sea bed including stills cameras, video, multi-beam echo sounders and magnetometers. This allows us to create a detailed plan of the sea bed and the biological habitats.

Previous survey data has been shared with Marine Scotland, SFF and SNH and helps to promote understanding of the marine environment and protection of sensitive areas.

Nearshore surveys will be completed by the vessel Seabeam

15 Meet our team

Glyn Lloyd Les McLaughlin Craig Taylor Shrikant Basude Graeme Barclay AC Substation Caithness Caithness Dounreay Project Director Project Manager Land Cable Switching Station Mybster OHL SHE Transmission Project Manager Project Manager Project Manager

Suzanne MacKay Andy Mclaren Joanne Seath Brian Wilson Dounreay Fyrish Substation Gills Bay HVDC Tony Scott and Mybster Project Manager Project Manager Converter Station Project Director Substation Project Manager Transmission Project Manager Programmes East

“SHE Transmission is committed to working closely with local communities to deliver a modern Daryn Lucas Alistair Muir Ali Macleod Lisa Marchi-Grey electricity Loch Buidhe Thurso South Project Wayleave Community network. Substation Substation Manager Liaison Manager If you have any Project Manager Project Manager questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our team who will be more than happy to help.” Brian Mitchell Duncan Peter Watson Tristan Southall Subsea Project Macdonald Marine and Fisheries Liaison Manager OHL Project Consents Manager Manager Manager

16 A responsible developer

SHE Transmission is committed to working closely with local communities to deliver a modern electricity network that is ready to meet the challenges ahead.

Safety first Proud to be an active part Safety is our first priority in everything we do. We of the communities we serve aim to be among the safest companies in the world Our Be the Difference scheme means every member and will keep looking for new ways to keep our staff, of our staff can take a day of their time each year contractors and the public safe. Last year our staff to work on a community project of their choice. Last made 96 visits to schools to teach children how to be year, around 1,500 days of volunteering took place safe around electricity. When it comes to safety, we through the scheme. If there is a community or think you can’t start early enough. charity project that you think our staff might be able to help with, just ask our team for a form and let us have the details.

Open4Business Investing in skills for the future To contribute to the economic well-being of the We are committed to investing in the long-term future Highlands and Islands, we have developed the SSE of our business and the communities where we work. Open4Business Highlands and Islands portal. It That’s why we offer a range of industry-leading training provides a platform for us to promote opportunities and apprenticeship programmes, with opportunities originating in the region, and allows local suppliers from school leavers to graduate engineers. to view SSE opportunities, register as a supplier and In recent years, we have also delivered an respond to notices free of charge. Users of the site can award-winning transmission trainee programme then also advertise their own opportunities. To find in partnership with Inverness College UHI and out more visit: www.sseopen4business-highlands.com Balfour Beatty. or speak to a member of the project team.

17 Your comments

We hope that this newsletter has helped to inform you about our work within your area.

To help record your views and to improve the effectiveness of our communications with local communities and other stakeholders, we would be grateful if you could take a minute to complete this short questionnaire.

18 About you

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19 About you

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More information and comment forms can also be found on the dedicated project webpages: www.ssepd.co.uk/CaithnessMoray

Please return this form to: Lisa Marchi-Grey, Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, 10 Henderson Road, Inverness, IV1 1SN Email: [email protected]

Any information given on this comments form may be used and published. By completing this comments form you consent to SHE Transmission using this information for these purposes. If you wish your comments to remain anonymous, please tick the box at the end of this form. By providing contact details you consent to SHE Transmission contacting you in relation to its work in the north of Scotland. Your details will not be used for any other purpose and you can opt out of receiving information at any time by contacting us. This comments form has been developed on behalf of Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission) which is part of the SSE Group. Registered in Scotland No. SC213461. Registered office: Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3AQ.