Nine volunteers working on SSEN Transmission’s Argyll and Kintyre 275kV reinforcement project in Scotland have helped to tackle marine pollution at Dalintober Harbour.
The team working on the Crossaig electricity substation project at Campbeltown Harbour removed 185kg of litter from the shoreline.
Among the items collected were washed-up tyres, discarded fishing equipment, and even traffic cones – waste that poses a threat to local wildlife and the marine environment.
Team members from SSEN Transmission and their principal contractor BAM worked in collaboration with volunteer group Kintyre Coastal Network (KCN), who protect the coastal marine environment in Kintyre.
The Crossaig substation, which is currently under construction, is part of SSEN Transmission’s wider 275kV Argyll and Kintyre reinforcement project, a series of electricity upgrade projects that will help strengthen the region’s transmission network.
The project team swapped their usual tools for litter pickers and bin bags as part of SSEN Transmission’s commitment to environmental initiatives and its efforts to support local communities.
SSEN Transmission project manager Ali Awada said: “Our volunteers were keen to make a positive impact, and they’ve done exactly that. This initiative reflects our shared responsibility to protect the beautiful coastal areas we work alongside.
“We’re proud to play our part in looking after the coastline near our Crossaig substation project. When we heard that Kintyre Coastal Network needed a helping hand to clear litter from Dalintober Harbour our volunteers were keen to help however they could.
“Our team showed real enthusiasm, and the results speak for themselves – over 185kg of waste removed and a cleaner harbour for all.”
SSEN Transmission is constructing a new 275kV substation at Crossaig which will connect to the recently completed 275kV overhead line between Inveraray and Crossaig. The existing 132kV Crossaig substation is no longer sufficient to support the growing demand for renewable energy connections in Argyll.
SSEN Transmission says the new substation will help enable the transportation of renewable energy from the Argyll peninsula as well as improve the security of electricity supply in the region.