The project is a key component of the Perth-headquartered electricity transmission network owner’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme, where it expects to invest at least £22bn in the period to March 2031, and is part of a wider upgrade of the electricity transmission system across Great Britain enabling delivery of offshore wind energy in support of UK and Scottish clean power and energy security targets. The need for this project has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator, Ofgem.

The submission of the Section 37 application to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) marks the culmination of a detailed development process where SSEN Transmission carried out one of the biggest public consultation exercises the north of Scotland has ever seen.

Over five consultation rounds, more than fifty consultation events and public meetings have taken place to help inform the development of the new proposed overhead line, which includes three new substations at Beauly, New Deer and Peterhead and new HVDC convertor stations at either end of the line too. The establishment of the new 400kV overhead line will also facilitate the removal of the existing 132kV overhead line that runs from Beauly to Knocknagael.

The application being submitted also marks a key moment for the business’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ programme, with consent applications now submitted for all the onshore 400kV overhead line projects.

Ministers are now expected to determine the application within 12 months, in line with the Scottish Government’s new 52-week determination process for priority applications for electricity transmission infrastructure.

During the determination period, SSEN Transmission will continue to undertake survey work along the route, to gain a further understanding of ground and environmental conditions, should the project be consented.

Alison Hall, director of development for SSEN Transmission, said:  “Submitting our consent application for the Beauly to Peterhead 400kV overhead line project – the last of three submissions for new 400kV overhead line infrastructure projects in our Pathway to 2030 programme – marks another key moment in delivering Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power targets.

“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is 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 this project we have undertaken one of the most extensive public consultation exercises that 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.”