SSEN Transmission has welcomed Ofgem’s decision to approve £23.5 million of funding for the removal of 75.km of overhead lines and 25 transmission towers from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
The project will see the removal of two sections of 132kv overhead line, undergrounding 4.5km of overhead line from Derrydaroch and Crianlarich near Glen Falloch, and 3km between Sloy Dam and Sloy Power Station.
The £23.5 million required to carry out both schemes is being funded as part of a £500 million pot administered by the energy regulator Ofgem. The initiative allows electricity transmission owners to bid for funding to mitigate the impact of historic electricity infrastructure in national parks and scenic areas.
Project manager, Euan Smith said, “We are delighted Ofgem has approved our funding request to remove an additional 25 transmission towers from the Loch Lomond National Park.
“Once complete, the removal of this additional infrastructure will leave a lasting legacy for current and future generations by improving the visual amenity within one of Scotland’s most precious landscapes.
“We would like to thank all of those who have inputted into the development process, the approval from Ofgems follows of three years of close development work with The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and a wide range of stakeholders, representing both statutory and non-statutory organisations.
“It was their wealth of experience and interest in the landscapes under consideration that helped identify the finan lly selected these key areas, and the subsequent approval of the project.”
SSEN said that they anticipate that work will begin in November 2020.
