The project is a key component of SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme, where it expects to invest at least £22 billion in the period to March 2031. It is part of a wider renewal of the electricity transmission system across Great Britain that is required to enable the homegrown low-carbon electricity needed to deliver UK and Scottish clean power and energy security targets. The project need has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator, Ofgem.

The forthcoming submission of the Section 37 consent application to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) will mark the culmination of a detailed development process since 2022, during which time SSEN Transmission has carried out one of the biggest public consultation exercises the north of Scotland has ever seen.

Forty consultation events and public meetings have taken place to help inform the development of the new proposed overhead line, which also includes two new substations at Fetteresso Forest (Hurlie) and Tealing (Emmock). Associated projects are the reconductoring of the existing overhead lines between Alyth in Perth & Kinross and Tealing, and between Tealing and Westfield in Fife, to upgrade them from 275kV to operate at 400kV.

Alongside the consideration of stakeholder feedback throughout the development phase, SSEN Transmission has also sought to balance key environmental, technical and economic considerations, in line with its regulatory licence and legislative obligations. This includes minimising impacts on various environmental constraints such as designations, and key cultural heritage assets along its route.

Minimising community impacts and seeking to avoid close proximity to residential properties has also been a key priority throughout the development phase.

In December 2023, following community and other stakeholder feedback, SSEN Transmission confirmed it was no longer progressing plans to develop a new substation at Fiddes in the Mearns, relocating this substation to a new site, Hurlie, in Fetteresso Forest, in close proximity to SSEN Transmission’s existing Fetteresso substation.

At the same time, the preferred route in two sections of the line, between Forfar and Brechin, and between the River Dee and Kintore, were changed in direct response to feedback received from the first consultation round.

Further rounds of consultation led to more changes being made to the overhead line alignments, including:

• New alignments developed around Drumoak and Echt, in Aberdeenshire;
• The progression of an alternative alignment around Schoolhill in Aberdeenshire;
• New alignments developed around Careston, in Angus.

All project changes have been made to reduce impacts to local communities and the environment and come as a direct result of constructive engagement with local communities, landowners and wider stakeholders.

Alison Hall, director of development for SSEN Transmission, said: “The forthcoming submission of our consent application for the Kintore – Tealing 400kV overhead line project marks a key milestone in delivering UK and Scottish Government energy targets, unlocking the homegrown low-carbon electricity generation required to help deliver a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity system for current and future generations.

“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and nationally, including our ambitious housing legacy commitments, community benefit funding proposals and workforce expansion plans, delivering a transformational and lasting legacy in the local communities we serve.

“Throughout the development of the project we have undertaken one of the most extensive public consultations the north of Scotland has even seen, and we would like to thank all stakeholders who have worked with our teams to provide constructive feedback which has been instrumental in helping shape our proposals.

“We now look forward to the Scottish Government’s timely determination of this critical national infrastructure development, in line with its new 52-week determination process for priority applications for electricity transmission infrastructure.”