Fortwww.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017

02 www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye

Who we are

We are Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, operating under licence as Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc for the transmission of electricity in the north of .

What is the difference between Transmission and Distribution?

Electricity Transmission is the transportation of electricity from generating plants to where it is required at centres of demand.

The Electricity Transmission network, or grid, transports electricity at very high voltages through overhead wires, underground cables and subsea cables. The transmission network connects large scale generation, primarily renewables, to central and southern Scotland and the rest of Great Britain. It also helps secure supply by providing reliable connection to the wider network of generation plans.

The Electricity Distribution network is connected into the Transmission network but the voltage is lowered by transformers at electricity substations, and the power is then distributed to homes and businesses through overhead lines or underground cables.

OverviewOverview ofof TransmissionTransmission projects projects

In total we maintain about 5,000km of overhead lines and Shetland Key underground cables – easily enough to stretch across the Orkney Existing infrastructure Atlantic from John O’Groats all the way to Boston in the USA. Under construction Potential development Our network crosses some of the UK’s most challenging terrain Gills Bay – including circuits that are buried under the seabed, are located Dounreay over 750m above sea level and up to 250km long. Spittal Mybster

The landscape and environment that contribute to the challenges we face also give the area a rich resource for renewable energy Lairg Western Loch Buidhe generation. There is a high demand to connect from new Isles (Bonar Bridge) wind, hydro and marine generators which rely on Scottish and Mossford Moray Firth

Southern Electricity Networks to provide a physical link between Beauly Knocknagael Blackhillock Peterhead the new sources of power and electricity users. Scottish and Skye Kintore Southern Electricity Networks is delivering a major programme Tomatin Fort Augustus of investment to ensure that the network is ready to meet the Aberdeen needs of our customers in the future.

Fort William

Our responsibilities Dalmally

Perth We have a licence for the transmission of electricity in the north of Scotland and we are closely regulated by the energy Kincardine regulator Ofgem. Denny

Kintyre Our licence stipulates that we must develop and maintain Hunterston an efficient, co-ordinated and economical system of electricity transmission. Arran

03 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017 www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017

Project Overview and Update

Since our public consultation events in September 2016 we have continued to develop a project which will provide an increase of electrical capacity for the .

An additional 132kV overhead line to Skye is required to • Dismantle and remove the existing 132kV overhead enable the connection of new generation located in the wood pole line connecting Broadford and north of the island. This will also improve the resilience of substations. the transmission network between Fort Augustus and Skye. In addition to our project there will be new equipment The main elements of the project are as follows: installed at the wind farm to facilitate the connection of the proposed new Glen wind farm. • Construction of an additional, new 132kV overhead line using a double trident H wood pole from the At the Broadford substation an additional transformer will existing Fort Augustus substation to the existing be installed to cater for additional local demand such as Broadford substation. the proposed Marine Harvest facility at .

• Construction of a replacement, higher capacity, Since we held our public consultation events in 132kV overhead line using a double trident H wood pole September 2016 we have been developing an initial between the existing Broadford substation and the design of a 132kV overhead line alignment. We now existing Dunvegan substation have a preferred alignment and are now seeking your feedback and comments.

Legend Preferred Alignment Existing 132kV OHL Existing 275kV OHL Map of overall route

04 www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye

Project Timeline

The chart shows the main stages of the development process and the opportunities where members of the public can provide comments or feedback in regards to proposals.

Please note that all future dates are indicative at this stage.

Early 2016 Initial consultation and options assessment Spring 2016 Consultations with key statutory bodies Technology confirmed and route selection study started • Scottish National Heritage, • The Council, • Proposed technology and overhead line corridor • Historic Environment Scotland and (wide area between connection points) identified • Scottish Environment Protection Agency and further environmental studies undertaken within the defined corridor. has been undertaken to seek feedback on the project • Route options identified, options appraisal undertaken assessment methodologies. Engineering and high level and preferred route identified. environmental studies have also been carried out on the technology and corridor options.

Sep Autumn 2016 2016 - Public consultation Summer 2017 Further environmental studies, initial overhead line • Consultation with statutory, non-statutory bodies design and alignment selection progressed and communities on initial project proposals. Document detailing scope of consultation published. • Review all feedback and publish the Report • Consultation Document presenting the preferred on Consultation. route published. • Confirm the proposed route. • Undertake further environmental studies and initial engineering design to identify the preferred alignment for the overhead line. • Confirm the preferred alignment for the overhead line. Summer • Report on Consultation for the Route published. 2017 - Late 2017 Consultation on preferred alignment selection Late 2017 - • Undertake consultation on the preferred alignment for Early the overhead line and hold further public consultations 2019 • Publish Consultation Document detailing the Consent application & contract tendering preferred alignment. • Confirm the proposed overhead line alignment and publish the Report on Consultation for the alignment stage. • Progress Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and determine the scope of the EIA with the statutory bodies. • Negotiations with landowners. • Preparation and submission of Section 37 consent application. • Contract tendering and procurement detailed design. Early 2020 - 2022 Construction and commissioning

05 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017

Existing Infrastructure

The existing 132kV overhead line which connects Fort Augustus and Skye consists of three distinct sections, which were constructed at different times over the past 65 years in response to changing needs.

These include: • Fort Augustus Substation – Skye Tee – Quoich – steel lattice towers designed to carry a single circuit (three conductors) • Quoich to Broadford – steel lattice towers designed to carry two circuits, presently strung with a single circuit • Broadford to Dunvegan – trident wood pole designed to carry a single circuit

Construction of an overhead wood pole line

A typical H pole installation generally requires foundations of approximately 2.5 metres by 3.0 metres and to a depth of around 2.0 metres. To minimise construction impact and the requirement for access tracks helicopters are used wherever possible to help deliver the materials to the site.

The picture adjacent shows a typical helicopter delivery of the steel work used on the top of a pole and the baulk timbers used in the foundation at the base of each structure. Helicopters are also used to assist with the stringing of the conductors.

Construction of an overhead steel lattice tower line

Tower position access utilises various methods including aluminium matting, rubber matting but typically stones track for accessing tower locations. Other methods can be utilised including helicopters for flying materials into very inaccessible/heavily constrained areas.

Tower foundations are generally concrete pad and column type. Holes are first excavated and shored up before the reinforcement is placed and the concrete poured in. The areas are then backfilled and reinstated, leaving only the top of the column and stub visible. Piled foundations may be required where severe ground conditions are present. Floating pad foundations are utilised in areas with very high water tables.

Towers are installed in pre constructed sections generally by todays Health and Safety standards utilising cranes. Towers are then wired in sections from predetermined tension towers utilising tension stringing methodology.

06 www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye

Alignment Process and Considerations

Our overhead line projects are subject The alignment process is carried out in stages which looks progressively in more detail at to a detailed alignment process. This ensures where the overhead line will be sited, from a the final design meets network requirements, wide area (corridor), to a route (generally 1km is cost effective, and causes the least impact wide), to an alignment (generally 200m wide). on important resources or features of the The stages that are carried out vary depending environment and least disturbance to those on the type, nature of and size of project and consultation is carried out at each stage of living, working, visiting or using the area for the process. recreational purposes.

Section 0: Section 1: Section 2: Dunvegan to Edinbane Edinbane to Sligachan to Broadford The alignment has been chosen to The new line will generally follow To reduce potential impacts on follow the existing 132kV wooden to the east side of the existing designated sites the new line will pole line which will be removed wooden pole. be slightly lower down the hillside after the new line is installed. The through the Hills National new line has been moved further It has been aligned to minimise Scenic Area (NSA). At Gleann Torra- north at to reduce potential impacts on properties in Mungeary, mhichaig the line has been moved visual impacts on the properties sensitive habitats and areas of to the east to remove infrastructure in the area. It also follows an forestry, particularly at Glen Varragill. from a prominent view. Elsewhere alignment further away from the The new line is screened from most the new line is in the same general properties at Balmeanach. receptors using the A87. area as the existing.

Section 3: Section 4: Section 5: Broadford to Kylerhea to Loch Quoich Loch Quoich to Invergarry The alignment follows the south side The alignment follows the general The alignment here has been of the steel lattice line. alignment of the steel lattice tower designed to minimise visual impacts line but has been designed to cope on the residents of the settlements Within the Kyleakin Hills Special Area with the constraints imposed by the within Glen Garry. of Conservation (SAC) the route avoids wooden pole technology. the preliminary qualifying features The impact on native as well as by following an alignment higher up Due to difficult topography the new conifer plantation woodland has the hillside away from the existing wooden pole has been sited closer to been minimised. lattice towers. the road in the Kinlochhourn section.

This alignment reduces visual and Steel lattice supports will be required landscape impacts on the residents and to cross Glen Quoich due to the visitors of Kylerhea village, the otter length of the crossing. Section 6: hide and users of the Glenelg Ferry. Invergarry to Fort Augustus There will also be sections of steel It also minimises impacts on eagles lattice rebuild in two discrete sections The line will follow an alignment which utilise the Narrows for feeding. between Kinlochhourn and Balvraid. initially to the north of the recently installed Skye Tee project near Loch Throughout this section the line has Lundie. In Inchnacardoch Forest been sited to minimise landscape and the line will be to the south and will visual impacts avoid properties in the area.

07 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017

Environmental designations

The map below demonstrates the extent of If you are interested in any particular environmental sensitivity or have detailed the environmental designated sites between information that may be useful in the Fort Augustus and Skye. As part of the routeing alignment, please contact a member of process the major areas of high amenity value, the Project Development team. which includes cultural heritage sites and areas of Further detailed environmental studies nature conservation, are avoided where possible. will continue during 2017 to support the design process and the potential Section 37 application.

08 www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye

Map 1 - Fort Augustus to Glenelg

Map 2 - Glenelg to Dunvegan

09 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017

Feedback

Thank you for taking the time to find Community Liaison Manager out about our plans for increasing the Lisa Marchi-Grey capacity of the electricity network between Fort Augustus and Skye. [email protected]

The project is in the development stages and we openly welcome comments and feedback to help us refine our 07825 015 507 proposal. We are very keen to ensure that members of the community understand our initial proposal as it will Lisa Marchi-Grey be refined and taken forward to a Section 37 planning Scottish and Southern application made to the Scottish Government. Electricity Networks, 10 Henderson Road, Please take a feedback form. You can complete it Inverness, IV1 1SN today, or you can post it back to us at the address provided. Information can also be posted out to you by our Community Liaison Manager upon request. Follow us Comments Why not follow Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Comments can be submitted as follows: on social media and keep up-to-date with all latest news and events? At the exhibition today: Complete a Comment Form and place it Find us on Facebook: in the box provided SSEN Community Online: Complete a Comment Form online by visiting Follow us on Twitter: the project webpage: @ssencommunity www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/ fort-augustus-skye By post: Complete a Comments Form and post it to our Liaison Manager (details adjacent). By email: Complete a Comments Form and email it to our Liaison Manager (details adjacent).

Download Comments forms and all the information from today’s event will also be available to download from the project website at: www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/ fort-augustus-skye Request Information can also be posted out to you by our liaison manager upon request. Please make your comments as specific as possible in order to help us consider them in relation to our proposals.

The closing date for comments for this consultation is 16:00 22nd December 2017

10 www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye

Your Comments

Thank you for taking the time to attend this consultation event. In order to record your views and improve the effectiveness of our consultation, please complete this short feedback form.

Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS. (Please tick one box per question only)

Q1 Has the requirement for the project been clearly explained?

Yes No Unsure

Q2 Have we explained the approach taken to select the preferred alignment adequately?

Yes No Unsure

Q3 Are there any additional factors, or environmental features, that you consider important and should be brought to the attention of the project team? Comments

Q4 Do you have any other comments about the preferred alignment? Comments

Q5 Following review of the provided information, how would you describe your understanding of the Fort Augustus - Skye project?

I am very well informed Know a lot Know a little

Know very little Know nothing at all

11 Fort Augustus - Skye Project Public Consultation November 2017 Q6 Overall how do you feel about the Fort Augustus to Skye project?

Support Neither support or object Object

Q7 And finally, from your experience to date, can you rate the quality of the consultation undertaken on the Fort Augustus - Skye project.

Excellent Quite good Neither good not poor

Poor Very poor

Please write in any further comments you would like to make about the engagement process as a whole.

Full name

Address

Postcode

Telephone

Email

If you would like to be kept informed of progress on the project please tick this box.

If you would like your comments to remain anonymous please tick this box.

Which event did you attend?

Fort Augustus Glenelg Kyleakin

Dunvegan Invergarry

Thank you for taking the time to complete this feedback form. Please hand your completed form in at the event or alternatively by one of the methods below: Post: Lisa Marchi-Grey, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, 10 Henderson Road, Inverness, IV1 1SN Email: [email protected]

Closing date for feedback is 22nd December 2017 The feedback form and all information provided at the event can also be downloaded from the dedicated website: www.ssen-transmission.co.uk

Any information given on the feedback form can be used and published anonymously as part of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks consultation report. By completing this feedback form you consent to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks using feedback for this purpose.