SSEN Transmission teams have advanced to the second phase of major construction work in the ongoing Scottish Rothienorman Substation project.
Working with principal contractor Balfour Beatty, Phase Two involves upgrading the infrastructure at the development from 275kV to 400kV, allowing for increased capacity to flow through the substation, which will accommodate more renewable generation from across the north of Scotland.
Construction of the substation, located around two miles west of the village of Rothienorman, began with Phase one in 2019, and is part of a wider strategy to reinforce the transmission network in the North East and East Coast of Scotland.
As part of the 400kV upgrade, two supergrid transformers – each weighing around 130 tonnes – will be installed at the substation, along with additional components to help facilitate the utilisation of the transformers.
These specialist transformer units are being shipped to Aberdeen quay before being transported to their final location at Rothienorman substation.
The first transformer unit is expected to be delivered on the 8th of October, with the second due to arrive next month.
SSEN Transmission Project Manager Arthur Sinakov said: “Phase Two of the Rothienorman Substation development is making good progress, with our teams recently completing all necessary foundation works ahead of the arrival of two new supergrid transformers from our specialist manufacturer.
“The delivery of the first of two new supergrid transformer units marks a major milestone in the project, which will ultimately enable a greater capacity of energy to flow through the substation and accommodate increased renewable generation from across the north of Scotland.”