A critical electricity transmission upgrade in Skye has been granted planning consent, paving the way for more renewables to connect to the grid.
SSEN Transmission has welcomed the decision by the Scottish Government to approve its Section 37 consent application for the replacement of the existing overhead line between Fort Augustus and Skye – the ‘Skye Reinforcement Project’.
The existing, single circuit overhead line is fast reaching the end of its operational life. Its replacement is critical to maintaining network reliability and security of supply for homes and businesses in Skye and along the line’s route, and in the Western Isles, which is currently supplied by two subsea electricity distribution cables from north Skye.
The line is currently operating at its capacity limit, preventing the connection of new renewable electricity in the area. Its replacement will have a greater capacity.
The Skye Reinforcement Project is part of SSEN Transmission’s £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland.
The Section 37 Planning Consent submission was submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit in September 2022.
In February, SSEN Transmission welcomed the Scottish Government’s Priority Applications for Transmission Infrastructure guidance, which sets a 52-week determination period for new Section 37 applications for strategic electricity transmission network projects. This one-year limit, if successfully implemented, should avoid delays to future strategic electricity transmission projects.
SSEN Transmission’s managing director Rob McDonald said: “We welcome this positive decision. The Skye Reinforcement project is crucial to maintaining local network reliability and will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its energy security and clean power ambitions.
“This project and our wider investment programme will also be a major driver of jobs and economic growth locally and across the north of Scotland, bringing substantial opportunities for communities and businesses.
“We trust that the Scottish Government’s new guidance, setting out a 52-week determination period, will see future projects progress in line with the acceleration needed to achieve the country’s clean power mission.
“As we now move to the delivery phase of the project, we are committed to working constructively with local communities and businesses to minimise and mitigate construction impacts, alongside maximising the economic, infrastructure and job opportunities this investment will bring.”