SSEN Transmission has welcomed the decision by Scottish Ministers to grant consent for the Creag Dhubh-Dalmally 275kV overhead line.
The project is part of a wider strategy to upgrade the capacity of the main electricity transmission network across Argyll and Kintyre from 132kV to 275kV, which is essential to enable the growth in renewable energy across the region.
The Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy is also a key component of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme, a £20bn investment that will support thousands of jobs and provide a major boost to local and national economies.
This backing represent a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland to enable the connection and transportation of homegrown renewable energy to demand centres across the country.
They are also part of a GB-wide renewal of the transmission network that is required to meet UK and Scottish government clean power and energy security targets.
The Section 37 planning application for the Creagh Dhubh-Dalmally 275kV overhead line was submitted to Holyrood in early summer 2022.
In September 2022, Argyll and Bute Council’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee voted to raise an objection to the application, automatically triggering a Public Local Inquiry.
There were no other statutory stakeholder objections received.
The impact of the Public Local Inquiry has delayed the connection of homegrown low carbon electricity generation across Argyll and Kintyre, increased the cost of the project due to supply chain and inflationary pressures, alongside significant legal costs for various parties, all of which will ultimately cost energy consumers, SSEN said.
It argued that the action strengthens widespread calls for reforms to our planning system to ensure the timely determination – within a maximum 12-month period – of the critical national infrastructure.
Director of capital development and delivery Tony Scott said: “We welcome the decision by the Scottish Ministers to grant consent for the Creag Dhubh-Dalmally 275kV overhead line.
“As a responsible developer with decades of experience and expertise in developing transmission infrastructure, this decision demonstrates the robustness and professionalism of our development process.
“We also recognise that some in the local community may be disappointed by the decision and as we now look ahead to the construction phase, we would like to reassure the local community and wider stakeholders that we are committed to working with them to minimise any construction impacts, alongside engaging with businesses and other partners in the area to maximise the economic opportunities that our investments across Argyll and Kintyre represent.
“We also believe today’s outcome strengthens the widespread calls for reforms to our planning system to avoid unnecessary and costly delays.
“Such delays are not in anyone’s interests, whether from the point of view of local jobs and investment, the uncertainty caused to communities, or of course in relation to critical national infrastructure projects that are essential to delivering a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system for current and future generations.
“We now look forward to working with the local community and wider stakeholders as we prepare for the construction phase.”