SSEN Transmission has submitted a planning application to The Highland Council to upgrade its Fort Augustus substation, including providing a grid connection to the 1500MW Coire Gas pumped storage hydro project in Scotland.
SSE Renewables is developing the first large-scale pumped storage project in the UK for more than 40 years.
The Fort Augustus 400kV substation upgrade scheme also proposes an extension to the existing facility at Auchterawe, supporting a proposed uprating to the existing Beauly-Denny overhead line to operate at 400kV.
The extension will include the construction of a new platform to accommodate new substation buildings, and the replacement of existing infrastructure which is at the end of its operational life.
The application also includes proposals for a temporary construction compound.
SSEN Transmission senior development project manager Rebecca Simister said: “We are pleased to have submitted our planning application seeking approval for an upgrade to our Fort Augustus substation.
“The upgrade, which will be subject to a Landscape and Habitat Management Plan to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain, is a key enabler to our proposals to upgrade the existing Beauly-Denny overhead line which will not require any additional overhead infrastructure.
“These projects are a critical part of our £20bn investment to upgrade the transmission network in support of national net zero and energy security ambitions, and we look forward to working with The Highland Council to progress our application.”