Controversial Highlands powerline approved – Daily Business

A controversial electricity transmission upgrade across 99 miles of the picturesque highlands has been approved by the Scottish government.

SSEN Transmission said its line from Ardmore, near Portree on Skye, to Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness was close to the end of its operational life and its abiilty to meet future demand.

Two new steel electricity towers will be needed on about 68 miles of the route between Edinbane and Fort Augustus. Wooden poles will carry the line from Edinbane to Ardmore.

The £480m revamp includes burying nine miles (15km) of cable underground to avoid spoiling views of Skye’s Cuillin mountains.

SSEN says that replacing the existing overhead line is critical to maintaining reliability and security of supply, provide greater capacity, and will pave the way for more renewables to connect to the grid.

The Skye Reinforcement Project is part of SSEN Transmission’s £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland.

The Section 37 Planning Consent submission was submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit in September 2022.

Highland Council objected to the project in 2023 because of concerns about the impact on other landscapes, while campaigners said they were “deeply disappointed” it had now been given the go-ahead.

SSEN Transmission’s managing director Rob McDonald said: “We welcome this positive decision. The Skye Reinforcement project is crucial to maintaining local network reliability and will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its energy security and clean power ambitions.

“This project and our wider investment programme will also be a major driver of jobs and economic growth locally and across the north of Scotland, bringing substantial opportunities for communities and businesses.

“We trust that the Scottish Government’s new guidance, setting out a 52-week determination period, will see future projects progress in line with the acceleration needed to achieve the country’s clean power mission.

“As we now move to the delivery phase of the project, we are committed to working constructively with local communities and businesses to minimise and mitigate construction impacts, alongside maximising the economic, infrastructure and job opportunities this investment will bring.”