Publication of Final Report for Beauly-Blackhillock-New Deer-Peterhead 400kV Overhead Line Project

- Report to confirm final overhead line route being taken forward for development
- Publication comes ahead of engagement events taking place in February and March

The final Report on Consultation for a proposed new 400kV overhead line running from Beauly via Blackhillock and New Deer and on to Peterhead has been published. The transmission line would include four new substations along its route, and new HVDC converter stations at either end.

The Report will confirm the final overhead line route alignments being taken forward for planning consent and development.???

The project is a key element of SSEN Transmission’s plans to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland – a £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme that will deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK, supporting Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power ambitions.?

The Report on Consultation, available to view here, provides a summary of the feedback received in response to proposals for the alignment of the overhead line from Beauly, west of Inverness, to Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, following the latest round of consultation events that took place in May and June 2024. The report details how feedback from these events has been considered, and confirmation of final overhead line route alignments being taken forward.

Separate consultation events held in relation to the associated new substations has already led to the significant decision to move the proposed new substation at Blackhillock from its initial location east of Keith, to the current proposed site south-east of the existing Blackhillock substation.

?? SSEN Transmission has held four rounds of public consultation events in relation to the proposed overhead line since September 2022, with a total 53 events providing an opportunity for the public to provide feedback and comment on the proposals.

The Report on Consultation outlines the latest changes made to minimise impact in response to community and stakeholder feedback, which will be presented by the project team at public engagement events taking place in February and March 2025.

Examples of changes made to the overhead line route through the consultation process include:
- Adjustments to tower positions at several points to increase distances from residential properties, scheduled monuments and to minimise disruption to existing land use and future development potential
- Adjustments to avoid impact on telecommunication links
- Realignment to the western approach to the River Spey crossing to increase to avoid any potential disturbance to the public water supply
- Change to the preferred alignment on the north-west approach to the new substation at Coachford, reducing cumulative impact to the area to west of Balloch Wood Community feedback has also led to efforts to address cumulative infrastructure impacts through the removal and undergrounding of existing transmission lines, where technically practical and appropriate, and subject to all necessary planning consents and landowner agreements. Detailed studies are currently taking place to determine where this could be done.

On Tuesday, 4 February, a webinar will be held to provide an overview of the publication of Reports on Consultations for all three of its proposed 400kV overhead line projects being delivered as part of the Pathway to 2030 programme, including the Beauly to Peterhead route. The webinar will also look ahead to the upcoming public engagement events.

Commenting on the publication of the final Report on Consultation, Catherine Swan, Senior Development Project Manager, said:?
“We have engaged extensively with local communities and stakeholders throughout the development of this project, and we would like to thank all those who have taken the time to provide the constructive feedback that has helped to shape our proposals.

“Our final Report on Consultation reflects the important role this engagement has played, resulting in changes to the location of our proposed new substation at Blackhillock and changes to sections of the overhead line route.

“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is crucial if we are to achieve the country’s energy security and clean power objectives, and it’s also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and across the north of Scotland.

“From next month, we will be holding a further series of public engagement events where we will present our final alignment plans for the development of this critical national infrastructure.”

The proposed Beauly to Peterhead 400kV project is one of a series of major onshore and offshore projects being taken forward through a £20bn+ investment to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland.

Known as the Pathway to 2030 programme, it will create and support thousands of jobs in the region, both at SSEN Transmission and through the wider supply chain, while delivering an anticipated £100m+ in community benefit funding for communities located close to new transmission infrastructure. And the Perth-headquartered business has also pledged to help tackle the north of Scotland’s housing crisis by supporting the delivery of more than 1,000 new homes across the region as a legacy of its workforce accommodation requirements to construct the projects.??