PLANNING consent has been granted for a key element of SSEN Transmission‘s proposed upgrade of the Beauly to Denny overhead line.
The decision by the Highland Council to approve the Bingally 400/132kV substation follows two years of development by SSEN Transmission.
The new substation will connect into the existing Beauly to Denny line, which is proposed to be upgraded from 275kV to 400kV operation. It will comprise a new outdoor 400/132kV Air Insulated Switchgear substation located in the Fasnakyle area, southeast of Cannich, and near Tomich.
The project forms part of SSEN Transmission’s £29 billion planned investment to transform the electricity network in the north of Scotland, enabling the homegrown low‑carbon power needed to meet clean energy and energy security targets. The need for the project has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator Ofgem.
The organisation said the Bingally substation development will deliver ‘substantial’ local benefits – including new housing, jobs, and supply chain opportunities, alongside more than £500,000 in direct community benefit funding.
Alison Hall, director of development for SSEN Transmission, said, “We are delighted with today’s decision – Bingally substation will play a key role in supporting Scotland and the UK’s clean energy and energy security ambitions.
“Investment in the electricity transmission network is a major driver of jobs and economic activity, and we are already seeing the positive impact our projects in the Highlands are delivering through new jobs and housing, providing a major boost to the region’s economy.”
Steven Miller, development portfolio manager SSEN Transmission, added, “Today’s decision marks the culmination of a detailed development process where we listened closely to the local community and worked to strike the right balance between environmental considerations and technical requirements.”
