SSEN Transmission has submitted a Section 37 planning application to the Scottish Government to upgrade the existing transmission line that runs between Kintore, North West of Aberdeen and Blairingone, East of Stirling.
The upgrade of the existing overhead transmission line is required to increase its capacity to 400kV, to accommodate the growth of renewable energy, SSEN Transmission said.
The application covers all aspects of the overhead line works, including tower extensions, tower and foundation repairs, replacement of insulators and conductors, and provision of access tracks to enable these works.
The upgrade of the network will help support the connection of new renewable generation in the north of Scotland to the grid, enabling clean energy to be taken from where it is generated to where it is needed.
The East Coast 400kV Upgrade is the second part of a two phased onshore reinforcement of the East Coast transmission network.
Phase one, the East Coast Onshore 275kV Upgrade is scheduled to start in April this year and will involve the re-profiling of 185km of the existing 275kV overhead line between Kintore and Fetteresso and the 275kV overhead line between Tealing and Alyth.