THE local knowledge and expertise of Argyll-based contractors has played an ‘integral’ role in an SSE overhead line project near Loch Lomond.
New 132kV lines were installed to replace infrastructure that was originally built in the 1950s, which secured the future of a ‘vital’ part of the electricity network in Argyll.
The project was delivered by SSE with the support of specialist contractor Omexom, alongside Argyll-based contractors McNaughtons & Sons, and Mascot Civils – whose local knowledge and expertise played an ‘integral’ role in its successful delivery, SSE said.
The overhead lines run in parallel and stretch for around 15km between the Sloy switching station near Loch Lomond and Windyhill substation near Glenmallen, with two circuits running in parallel. In total, around 30km of new conductor has been installed as part of the project.
Rather than replacing both entire routes and all of their towers, the project team was able to retain and extensively refurbish the majority of the 103 existing towers, giving the infrastructure a new lease of life.
This involved significant work to strengthen and upgrade tower foundations, as well as repainting and refurbishing the steelwork. Just six towers across the route required complete replacement.
Delivering the project presented a number of engineering and logistical challenges, with teams working across steep and difficult terrain around Loch Lomond and contending with challenging weather conditions at various stages of the works.
Access to some tower locations proved particularly demanding, requiring close collaboration between SSEN Transmission and its specialist contractors to deliver the work safely and successfully.
In total, over 19km of access tracks needed to be constructed to allow teams to safely reach the towers. This, at times, meant building tracks to cut across slopes with very steep gradient, requiring precision and accuracy.
The investment supported jobs across the local and wider supply chain, enabling contractors involved in the project to grow their businesses, recruit new employees and apprentices, and invest in new equipment.
Lochgilphead-based contractor McNaughtons & Sons recruited new apprentices and invested in additional plant after securing work on the project. Kilmarnock-based Mascot Civils also expanded its team and invested in new vehicles and machinery, with its contract on Sloy-Windyhill among the largest the company has ever secured.
Paddy Rennie, senior project manager at SSEN Transmission, said, “Successfully energising the Sloy to Windyhill line is a huge achievement and is a result of an enormous amount of hard work from everyone involved.
“There have been significant challenges to overcome, particularly the treacherous terrain, existing asset condition and difficult weather conditions, but the way the team and our contractors worked together was key to the successful delivery of the project.
“Importantly, we’ve been able to retain and refurbish the majority of the existing towers rather than replace them, carrying out extensive work to their foundations and tower bodies so they can continue to play a key role in delivering power to the region.
“Omexom, McNaughtons & Sons and Mascot Civils have all been integral to the project. It’s particularly important that our investment has also helped support additional employment and apprenticeship opportunities through our supply chain.
“It’s also been important to us that, while working in the area, we’ve played our part in supporting the communities around the project. From volunteering with local groups to supporting initiatives tackling marine litter at Arrochar, the team has worked hard to make a positive contribution beyond the delivery of the project itself.
“The original line has served the electricity network for more than 70 years, and this work will help ensure the lines can continue to do so for many years to come. We want to thank the local community for their continued patience and understanding throughout, and will keep them updated while we work through the final phases of the project.”
John Hay, project manager at Omexom, added, “We are incredibly proud of what the collective project team has achieved at Sloy to Windyhill. Delivering the refurbishment of two parallel overhead lines across 15km of steep and challenging terrain demanded resilience, teamwork and a real commitment from everyone involved.
“The team had to overcome difficult access, changing weather conditions and the complexities associated with working on infrastructure originally constructed in the 1950s. Through detailed planning and close cooperation, we were able to adapt our methods to suit the conditions and safely refurbish the majority of the existing towers, while limiting complete replacement to just six towers.
“This success belongs to everyone who contributed, from the teams working on the towers and access routes to those supporting the engineering, environmental and logistical requirements behind the scenes. The partnership between Omexom, SSEN Transmission and the local supply chain was central to overcoming the challenges and successfully bringing the renewed lines into operation.”
Scott McCreadie, MD at Mascot Civils, commented, “We’re proud to have supported Omexom and SSEN Transmission in delivering the Sloy–Windyhill refurbishment, drawing on our experience in overhead line civils to help extend the life of this important infrastructure.
“The challenging terrain and weather demanded careful planning and close collaboration between everyone involved. Our team brought valuable overhead line (OHL) experience to these challenges and can take real pride in their contribution to reaching this milestone.
“As one of the largest contracts Mascot Civils has secured to date, the project has also supported our continued growth, enabling us to expand our workforce and invest in additional plant and vehicles. It has further strengthened our OHL capability and demonstrates how investment in Scotland’s electricity network can create lasting opportunities for businesses and the people they employ.”
