SSEN Transmission has submitted a planning application to Perth and Kinross Council for the Cambushinnie 400kV substation project.
The project is a key element of the transmission operator’s proposed Beauly to Denny overhead line (OHL) upgrade from 275kV to 400kV operation, and is intended to help deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK.
The new substation, which would connect to the existing Beauly to Denny OHL, will involve construction of a new outdoor 400kV air insulated switchgear (AIS) substation, located immediately west of the existing Braco West 275kV substation.
SSEN Transmission explained the site was identified as the best from an environmental and technical perspective, and a series of pre-application consultation events have given members of the public the opportunity to help shape the substation proposals.
This includes measures for peatland restoration and biodiversity net gain, while environmental assessments have considered potential noise and visual impacts which SSEN Transmission said it will continue to engage with the community on.
Meanwhile, proposals are also being developed for an access road from the A822 and intersecting the B8033, enabling the delivery of the 400kV transformers required for the substation.
This will result in construction traffic travelling through Braco village for a short period while the road is being built, however once completed it will be used by all associated construction traffic, avoiding the village and minimising long-term disruption, SSEN Transmission said.
No work on the substation will take place until the access road is completed, and a separate planning application for the road will be submitted this summer, it added.
Kevin Rooney, SSEN Transmission project manager, said, “The Cambushinnie substation is a key part of proposals to fully upgrade the existing Beauly to Denny overhead line from 275kV to 400kV operation, supporting the delivery of 2030 offshore wind generation targets set by the UK and Scottish Governments. In developing our proposals, we have sought to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective, while taking account of the views of the local community.
“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is crucial if we are to achieve the country’s energy security and clean power objectives, and it’s also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and across the north of Scotland.
“We would like to thank all those who provided feedback as part of our pre-application consultation events which have been key in helping shape proposals for the substation. We’re also grateful for the feedback we’ve had over our access road plans, which will be subject to a separate planning application. We now look forward to working with Perth and Kinross Council and stakeholders as part of the planning submission process.”
