SSEN Transmission’s Alyth substation in Scotland has been energised, following three years of works.
Working with principal contractor Siemens BAM, the £86m site forms a key part of SSEN Transmission’s reinforcement of the east coast transmission network, which will help to support the connection of new renewables generation in the north of Scotland to the grid.
Built to an operating capacity of 275kV, the substation has been designed so that it can be increased to 400kV in the future with minimal operational changes.
This increase will deliver the full capacity rise required to facilitate major new renewable generation connections in the future.
Building the new Alyth Substation involved installing new 275kV double busbar gas insulated switchgear (GIS) and reactive compensation equipment.
The project also included a new dual-voltage 120-tonne SCT transformer, which is the largest component in the substation build.
It required a specialist haulier with a 12-axle vehicle to safely deliver it from Dundee Quay to its final location at Alyth Substation last spring.
Throughout construction of the project the teams were careful to manage any environmental impacts during the build, delivering biodiversity net gain on site throughout its construction.
The studies forecast a 50% increase in biodiversity since personnel first arrived in the area.
Ecological improvements around the site include plans to plant almost 5400 local native species of trees such as rowan, birch, oak, pine, hazel and blackthorn around the site perimeter, helping to enhance biodiversity while also creating a natural screen around the substation to minimise visual impact.
The substation is also home to a resident pair of ospreys – named Harry and Flora – who return each year to nest at a purpose-built nesting platform on the far edge of the site.
The platform was created in 2014 as an alternative home for the ospreys ahead of the start of a programme of upgrade and reinforcement work to the transmission East Coast network, after the birds were spotted nesting at the top of one of SSEN Transmission’s 48-metre-high electricity towers which was scheduled for maintenance as part of the project.
Since the nesting platform was built, 20 chicks have successfully been fledged, and substation teams are hoping to welcome even more chicks this year when Harry and Flora are expected to return back from their migration south in the spring.
SSEN Transmission project manager Muhammad Usman Faisal said: “Our project team and contract partners have performed exceptionally well in delivering this project safely and to the highest standard, which is really testament to their dedication, expertise, and teamwork.
“We are proud of the role we are playing in helping to deliver a network for net zero.
“I’d also like to thank the local community and stakeholders for their continued patience, understanding and support while we’ve constructed this project, without which this huge milestone would not have been possible.
“We will continue to keep them updated as we complete the remaining phases of work on site.”