SSEN Transmission submits planning application to Highland Council for Fanellan substation project
SSEN Transmission has submitted a planning application to The Highland Council for the Fanellan 400kV substation and converter station project.
It says it is a ‘key strategic development’ that will play a major role in supporting national energy security and clean power targets.
Located southwest of Beauly, the project is part of the transmission operator’s plans to upgrade the transmission network in the north of Scotland.
The submission of the planning application follows three years of development and engagement on the project’s design with local community members and other stakeholders.
This includes four public consultation events held last year that were attended by over 300 people and meetings with residents living closest to the proposed site.
The proposed project comprises the construction of a new outdoor 400kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Alternating Current (AC) substation and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter station.
The site will provide connections to the existing Beauly - Denny 400kV Overhead Line.
Ross McKay, senior development project manager said: “The proposed Fanellan 400kV AC substation and HVDC converter station is a key component of our proposals to upgrade the transmission network in support of the delivery of 2030 offshore wind generation targets set by the UK and Scottish Governments.
“The National Energy Systems Operator carried out extensive studies which identified the need for this project, and in developing our proposals we have sought to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective while consulting extensively with the local community.
“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is crucial if we are to achieve the country’s energy security and clean power objectives, and it’s also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and across the north of Scotland.
“We would like to thank all those who provided feedback as part of our pre-application consultation events which have been key in helping shape our proposals. We now look forward to working with The Highland Council and stakeholders as part of the planning application process.”
