SSEN Transmission announce work to connect Creag Riabhach Wind Farm on Altnaharra Estate to grid is now complete
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A recently constructed Sutherland wind farm is expected to begin transmitting electricity to population centres in the south shortly following the completion of work to connect it to the grid.
SSE Transmission has announced that Creag Riabhach Wind Farm is now capable of exporting power following the construction of a new overhead line, underground cable and switching station.
The 22-turbine development is located on Altnaharra Estate.
Project manager Duncan Macdonald said: “SSEN Transmission recently celebrated the energisation of a new overhead line, underground cable and switching station, which will enable the flow of electricity from Creag Riabhach.
“With the line now energised, the Creag Riabhach team will work to bring each turbine online and bring the wind farm up to full export capacity.”
Once fully operational, Creag Riabhach Wind Farm will generate up to 92.4MW of clean, renewable energy, with the potential to power up to 70,000 homes annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 125,000 tonnes.
Work on the connection project began in June 2021 and involved the construction of around 22km of 132 kV overhead line supported by double Trident ‘H’ wood pole structures, in addition to 1.4km of underground cable and a new switching station at the wind farm itself.
Principal contractor was Omexom Morgan Sindall Infrastructure (OMSI) and the subcontractor was Norpower.
Mr Macdonald said: “Since construction began, teams took the utmost care to avoid impacting the environment during the project’s delivery, including using helicopters to deliver materials to avoid disturbing the sensitive peatlands on the route.
“Particular care was taken to avoid disturbing nesting birds and other wildlife such as badgers, water vole, pine marten, otter and bats which were identified in the area.
"Wooden crates used to store components for the new overhead line were repurposed and turned into 54 nesting boxes for owls and kestrels installed across northern Scotland, with one box already creating a home for two healthy tawny owl chicks which were hatched this year."
Mr Macdonald has praised the contractors who worked through "the arduous winter months and difficult terrain to meet the deadline".
He also thanked the local communities and land owners along the route for their "interest and engagement throughout the build".
"Without their support, the project and its contribution to mitigate climate change would not have been possible," he said.
