Power line across Highlands 'will support thousands of skilled jobs'
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A 400kV power line between Caithness and Inverness-shire is part of a major upgrade that will support "thousands of highly skilled jobs" and bring "significant economic growth", according to the energy company behind the controversial plans.
SSEN Transmission also reiterated that it will work closely with communities over the design of the scheme and is "actively considering alternative routes and mitigation measures" in some areas where there are fears over the impact on landscapes.
The proposals for a new line between Spittal, Loch Buidhe and Beauly, with new substations at each location, are being fought by Communities B4 Power Companies (CB4PC). Two representatives of the campaign group spoke at a public meeting last week organised by Dunbeath/Berriedale Community Say NO to Pylons, under the umbrella of Berriedale and Dunbeath Community Council.
There are concerns that the proposed "mega" pylons will be more than twice as tall as the existing ones.
A spokesperson for SSEN Transmission said: “The Spittal-Loch Buidhe-Beauly 400kV project is part of a major upgrade of the electrical transmission system across Great Britain which is required to help deliver UK and Scottish Government climate change targets and secure the country’s future energy independence.
"The need for these projects has been independently assessed as required by the independent electricity system operator, National Grid ESO, and the regulatory need has been approved by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem.
“These investments will also unleash the economic potential of the north of Scotland, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs and delivering significant economic growth across the economy.
“We remain fully committed to working closely with the local community and wider stakeholders to help inform the design of this nationally significant project.
"Our team continues to assess and consider all feedback received from our first round of public consultation earlier this year, including actively considering alternative routes and mitigation measures in areas of particular local sensitivity, and we thank everyone who has shared their feedback with us so far.”
SSEN Transmission says its £10 billion programme will play a key role in enabling the connection of up to 11GW of new offshore wind capacity through ScotWind projects, supporting 20,000 jobs across the UK, including 9000 in Scotland.
Managing director Rob McDonald has said the investment will "help to turbo-charge the economy", while acknowledging: "Overhead transmission lines can be over 50m in height and substations and converter stations can leave a significant footprint on the land.
"That’s why we consult heavily with communities, at every stage of development, to help us identify suitable locations for our infrastructure as responsibly and efficiently as we can."
At last week's meeting in Dunbeath, CB4PC Lyndsey Ward warned: "Our group is committed to stopping SSEN in full because if we do not object to this gigantic proposal in full we will be bombarded with more and more wind farm applications and lots more infrastructure.
"Nowhere in the Highlands will be safe from industrialisation. We will become an industrial hub for England.
"SSE and SSEN are private companies with shareholders to keep happy. This is about money. It is not for the good of the planet or you and I – it is about their bottom line, pure and simple."
Fellow CB4PC campaigner Denise Davis said: "We do not believe in the industrialisation of the Highlands for the benefit of Big Energy, other countries' energy demands and their net-zero targets."
SSEN Transmission will be invited to attend a follow-up meeting in Dunbeath in the coming weeks to answer questions and hear local opinions.
