The decision by Perth and Kinross Council follows more than two years of development and extensive community and stakeholder engagement.

Connecting to the existing OHL, the project will involve the construction of a new outdoor 400kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation, located immediately west of the existing Braco West 275kV substation.

The substation is a key element of the proposed Beauly to Denny OHL upgrade from 275kV to 400kV operation, intended to help deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK.

It forms part of SSEN Transmission’s £22 billion+ investment to transform the electricity network in the north of Scotland, enabling the homegrown low-carbon electricity needed to meet clean power and energy security targets. The need for the project has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator Ofgem. 
 
Community feedback has been central to shaping the project, which will include measures for peatland restoration and biodiversity net gain, alongside measures such as landscaping and planting.  

A separate planning application has been submitted for a haul track from the A822 and intersecting the B8033, enabling the delivery of the 400kV transformers required for the substation and which will be used by all construction traffic, thereby minimising impacts on Braco village. 

No work on the substation will take place until the proposed haul track is completed.  

The project will deliver substantial local benefits, including jobs and supply chain opportunities, along with over £500,000 in community benefit funding.  

With consent now granted, construction of the Cambushinnie 400kV substation is expected to begin later next year, following completion of the proposed haul track.
 
Alison Hall, director of development for SSEN Transmission, said: “We’re pleased with today’s decision, which represents another step towards delivering Scotland and the UK’s clean energy and energy security ambitions.

“Investing in the electricity transmission network is also a key driver of jobs and economic growth, and the Cambushinnie 400kV substation is among several clean energy projects creating new roles within SSEN Transmission and across our supply chain, while generating substantial community benefit funding and other legacy opportunities.

“As a key element of our proposals to upgrade the Beauly to Denny overhead line from 275kV to 400kV operation, the Cambushinnie 400kV substation will play an important role in helping build a cleaner, more secure, and affordable electricity system for generations to come.”

Rebecca Simister, senior development project manager for SSEN Transmission, added: “Today’s decision is the culmination of a detailed development process where we have sought to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective, while listening closely to the views of the local community.

“We would like to thank all those who contributed to our consultation events, which were key in helping shape proposals for the substation. We’re also grateful for the feedback we’ve had over our haul track plans, which are subject to a separate planning application. We will continue to engage constructively with the local community throughout the lifetime of this project, as we fulfil our commitment to being a good neighbour and delivering a positive legacy.”