'This is a huge infrastructure project': Shock over 'alarming plans' for high-voltage electricity line through East Sutherland
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Sutherland residents who attended consultation sessions this week into plans to install a new, high-voltage electricity line in the far north, have come away shocked at the massive scale of the project and the coastal route it could take.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN) intends to erect a new 400kV overhead line running from Spittal to Beauly with new proposed substations at Spittal, Loch Buidhe and Beauly.
The project, which is needed to transmit power further south, will involve the erection of numerous 57-metre high pylons through Sutherland similar in size to those alongside the A9 further south.
There is particular concern that SSEN’s preferred route options run through the Special Landscape Area (SLA) close to the coast rather than through the county’s interior.
And SSEN has been accused of using "misleading language" in its advance publicity for the consultation events, which it was felt minimised the scale of the project.
Brora Community councillor Diana Royce raised her concerns at the group’s meeting last Tuesday.
She said one option was for the line to go across the Helmsdale River and down Glen Loth, across the top of the Special Landscape Area. There was also the prospect of it ‘jinking’ across Loch Brora in front of Carrol Rock and also in front of Ben Bhraggie, Golspie.
“It is all very concentrated on the coast,” she said. “These pylons are very big and will certainly make our hills look small – and we have fought so hard to protect our hills. I asked why they could not just mirror the existing (175kV) line, but there seems to be a severe problem with going across the Flow Country from Spittal."
Christina Perera, Strath Brora, also attended one of the consultation events.
She said: “Some of the proposed options are quite alarming as they encroach on the Special Landscape Area or run along Strath Brora.
“I thought SSEN’s ‘preferred route’ wasn’t genuinely up for debate despite what they said about this being a consultation event. They had ruled out most of the alternatives because they were ‘too difficult’ which really means ‘too expensive, thereby cutting into our profits’.
“I think they are using the Flow Country World Heritage bid as an excuse to put the line down the coast. A case of international designation trumping the local designation of a Special Landscape Area. But they deny that.”
Jonathan Parkes attended the Golspie event.
He said the advance note of the consultation sessions stated that SSE’s plans were to “reinforce” the onshore transmission network.
“Like everyone else we have spoken with, we interpreted this as a relatively minor project building new local substations,” he said. “However we were shocked to discover that the 400kv ‘reinforcement’ is in fact an entirely new transmission cable extending the length of Sutherland. This is a huge infrastructure project.
“In my opinion, this project has not been honestly presented to the community it will affect. Most people, like us, will have been reassured by vague phrases such as “reinforcement” and “associated infrastructure”. They will not have realised its full extent.
“As a result, they will not attend the consultations or make their views known. SSE will be able to say that they held a consultation, few people attended, and therefore the project has the support of the community.
“I believe that if the people of east Sutherland were properly informed about the scope of this project and its impact upon their lives, they would certainly not give it their support.
A spokesperson for SSEN Transmission said: “The project is in the early stages of development, and we welcome all views on our initial proposals and will take on board any feedback received.
“The project feedback is open until March 31, and we encourage anyone interested to visit our website to learn more about our proposals, which will help facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy and a net zero future.”
A virtual consultation event takes place on March 6 from 5pm-7pm. Joining details are available on SSEN’s website.
