Since the summer of 2013, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) has been developing proposals for reinforcement of the high voltage electricity network in the Lairg area.

The development has been prompted by requests from new renewable electricity generators to connect to the transmission network. The existing network in the area does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate this additional generation.

In order to provide the capacity needed, a new double circuit 275 kilovolt (kV) line is proposed between a new substation which is being built at Loch Buidhe (north of Bonar Bridge) and a proposed new substation in the vicinity of Lairg.

The new line would allow the existing single circuit 132kV overhead line to be dismantled and removed between Inveran (Shin substation) and the existing Lairg substation.

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementIntroduction

Figure 1: Existing Shin to Lairg 132kV overhead line by Torroble

About SHE Transmission • SHE Transmission (which is part of the SSE

Group) owns, maintains and invests in the high voltage electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland.

• As we are the only company that owns an electricity network in the north of Scotland, we are closely regulated by the energy regulator, Ofgem.

• As the transmission licence holder in the north of Scotland, we have a duty under Section 9 of the Electricity Act 1989 to facilitate competition in the generation and supply of electricity. We have an obligation to offer non-discriminatory terms for connection to the transmission system, both for new generation and for new sources of electricity demand.

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementWhat’s Happened So Far?

November 2013 Initial public consultationAt this stage a substation site (‘Site A’) adjacent to the existing Lairg substation, accessed from the Saval road, had been identified as the most favoured option on the basis of initial assessments of environmental, technical and economic considerations.

June 2014 Second public consultationA revised substation site on the edge of Dalchork forestry plantation, north of Lairg, was proposed. The original site option identified at this location (‘Site C’) was relocated to the eastern edge of the plantation, to address concern about visual impact from the main road.

February 2015Third public consultationThe purpose of today’s event is to share the key findings of the further work that has been carried out and the decision that we have taken. The following information boards summarise the options that we have considered and the key issues that we have been investigating in further detail.

What you told us Feedback from local residents raised a number of concerns about the substation site and the overhead line route initially assessed as ‘most favoured’. Of those that expressed a preference, most respondents favoured substation options to the north of Lairg and overhead line options further to the east.

What we did On the basis of all the feedback received, further investigation of substation options to the north of Lairg took place. Overhead line corridors to reach these potential sites were also considered.

What you told us Most respondents agreed with the proposed new substation site. Many felt that the revised overhead line route was too close to the community. A group of residents suggested an ‘exclusion zone’ around Lairg and asked for a route to be considered that would keep out of this area.

What we did In light of the views expressed in response to our second consultation, we agreed to carry out more detailed investigation of the suggested alternative overhead line route. Assessment of detailed information from surveys and further engagement with the relevant public bodies has taken place over the last 6 months.

The search for suitable substation site options and overhead line route corridors began in the summer of 2013.

A number of potential site and route options were identified and we carried out initial assessments of their suitability. Early public consultation took place in November 2013 to obtain feedback from local communities and relevant organisations such as the Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementOverhead Line Route Corridor Options

Figure 2 presents two 275kV overhead line route corridor options that SHE Transmission has been investigating following the most recent consultation undertaken in June 2014:

1. West route. Overhead line alignment proposed in June 2014 is shown (shaded brown).

2. East route. The route suggested by a group of local residents is shown (shaded blue).

Title:

Project: Lairg to Loch Buidhe

Proposed 275kV OHL Alignment vs 275kV OHL Alignment Outwith Community Exclusion Zone

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Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.Crown copyright and database right 2015 all rights reserved.

Ordnance Survey Licence number EL273236.

Scale @ A0:Project No: 1:25,000

LegendProposed 275kV OHL with LOD

275kV OHL with LOD Outwith Community Exclusion Zone

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Buildings 100m Buffer

RAMSAR

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SSSI

Ancient Woodland Inventory

Scheduled Monuments

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Drawn: Date: 30/01/2015

Figure 2: Overhead line route corridor options

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Topic West Route (shaded brown) East Route (shaded blue)

Ecology • Affects less habitat of high sensitivity, such as Blanket Bog.

• Grazed grasslands offers less suitable habitat for protected species.

• Closer to existing access tracks.

• Affects more habitat of high sensitivity, such as Blanket Bog.

• High quality moorland offers excellent habitat for protected species.

• Very poor access will require significant new access tracks.

Ornithology • Less effects to designated sites (SPA/SSSI) and species of concern.

• Ornithological data collected indicates less bird activity along this alignment.

• Potential significant affects to designated sites (SPA/SSSI) and species of concern.

• Ornithological data collected indicates significant bird activity along this alignment.

Residential Amenity

• Within 500m of 37 properties at Saval, Savalbeg, Balnadelson and Tomich.

• Within 500m of 16 properties, comprising the same dwellings at Saval and Savalbeg that lie within 500m of the West route.

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementKey Environmental Issues

Two designations are present in the vicinity of the East and West overhead line routes, as follows: • Lairg and Strathbrora Lochs SPA/SSSI – Designated for Black Throated Diver • Strathcarnaig and Strathfleet Moors SPA/SSSI – Designated for Hen Harrier

A detailed review has been carried out of available environmental survey information on both overhead line routes, covering ecology, ornithology (including observed bird flight paths and known nesting sites in previous years) and residential amenity. The key findings of this work are outlined in the table below:

Species Description Preferred Habitats

Threats Protection RSPB Status1

Black Throated Diver The Black Throated Diver is a large swimming and diving bird.

Length: 58–73cm Wingspan: 110–130cm Weight: 1300–3400g

• Large, deep lakes during summer months

• Coastal sheltered waters, rarely inland, during spring, autumn and winter

• Vulnerable to human disturbances

• Changes in the habitat, alterations of water levels, and pollution

European Birds Directive Annex 1

Amber

UKWildlife & Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 1

Hen Harrier The Hen Harrier is a medium sized raptor.

Length: 45–55cm Wingspan: 97–118cm Weight: c. 350–530g

• Moorland, bogs, and farmland

• Illegal killing

• Habitat destruction

European Birds Directive Annex 1

Red

UKWildlife & Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 1 & 1A

1 https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/status_explained.aspx

Black Throated Diver © Laurie Campbell/SNH Hen Harrier © Lorne Gill/SNH

Engineering Considerations

Access • Access roads and tracks must allow the use of heavy construction equipment to erect towers

• Close proximity to public roads and existing tracks will reduce the length of the new access tracks

• How can we access each tower over its lifetime?

Elevation • Shorter spans between towers at higher elevations result in more towers

• Increased loading from weather to towers at higher elevations

Ground Conditions

• Poor ground conditions may require complex foundation designs

• Poor ground conditions may make it more difficult to effectively earth each tower

• Poor ground conditions may require additional or longer access routes

Route Complexity

• Minimise the length of the route where possible• Minimise the number of angle changes where

possible to reduce the requirement for larger foundations and towers

• Increased route length and a greater number of angle changes will lead to increased costs

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementKey Engineering Issues

The engineering challenges associated with building each of the overhead line routes have also been reviewed by SHE Transmission’s engineering team and specialist consultants. One of the key issues is the feasibility of obtaining access to each route, both with heavy equipment required for construction and for any maintenance that may be required in later years. The number of towers required, the size of each tower and the extent of the foundation works are also considered – as is the expected impact of weather and other stresses during the operational life of the overhead line. These issues all affect both the cost of construction and the time for which the line would be expected to operate without further major investment. The table below summarises the main engineering considerations. On the right is a summary of the findings from the review of the two route options.

West Route (Shaded Brown)

Positive Negative

• Ground condition risks are considered to be more favourable

• Better access to the route for construction and maintenance

• Fewer changes in direction and/or elevation

• Construction activity in proximity to the community requires increased management of construction health and safety risks

East Route (Shaded Blue)

Positive Negative

• Construction activities further away from the community, with reduced construction health and safety risks to be managed

• Ground conditions considered to be poor, particularly near lochans – bigger foundations and more challenges associated with management of groundwater

• Increased elevation / steeper terrain on part of the route, results in a reduced span, and more towers

• Greater extent of new accesses required

• Future access for maintenance is likely to be difficult

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementIndicative Timeline

The anticipated delivery timescale for each option has also been considered. Once renewable energy developers have signed a contract with National Grid to be connected on a certain date, SHE Transmission must seek to deliver the network capacity required on time.

West Route East Route

• Start Detailed Engineering Design and Environmental Surveys

• EIA Screening Opinion (substation) and Scoping Assessment (overhead line)

• Commence Environmental Impact Assessment• Submit Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) • Further pre-application public exhibition• Production of Environmental Appraisal

(Substation) and Environmental Statement (overhead line)

• Submit Town and County Planning Application & Section 37

• Anticipated Consent Decision• Contract Tendering & Procurement

• EIA Screening Opinion (substation) and Scoping Assessment (overhead line)

• Commence Environmental Impact Assessment• Submit Proposal of Application Notice (PAN)• Further pre-application public exhibition• Production of Environmental Appraisal

(Substation) and Environmental Statement (overhead line)

• Submit Town and County Planning Application & Section 37

• Contract Award• Construction (additional duration for

overhead line construction)/Commission/Removal of existing 132kV circuit

• Contract Award• Construction/Commission/Removal

of existing 132kV circuit

• Commence additional Vantage Point Bird Surveys (12 months)

• Start Detailed Engineering and other Environmental Surveys

2015

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• Anticipated Consent Decision• Contract Tendering & Procurement

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementProposed Route and Substation Location

Figure 3 below illustrates SHE Transmission’s preferred overhead line alignment (shaded brown) that we now propose to take forward for detailed engineering design and application for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Figure 4 below illustrates SHE Transmission’s preferred substation location that we now propose to take forward for detailed engineering design and application for consent under The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

SHE Transmission’s decision to pursue the overhead line alignment and substation has been based on assessments that include a full consideration of technical/operational, environmental and cost issues.

Title:

Project: Lairg to Loch Buidhe

Proposed 275kV OHL Alignment

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Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.Crown copyright and database right 2015 all rights reserved.

Ordnance Survey Licence number EL273236.

Scale @ A0:Project No: 1:25,000

LegendProposed 275kV OHL with LOD

Drawn: Date: 30/01/2015

1:5,000Scale @ A3:Project No:

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Lairg to Loch Buidhe

Indicative Substation Site Layout Plan

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Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.Crown copyright and database right 2014 all rights reserved.

Ordnance Survey Licence number EL273236.

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Figure 3 - Site Layout Plan

LegendSubstation Layout (Indicative)

Access Road (Indicative)

Proposed 275kV OHL LOD

Note: The layout presented in this drawing is indicative and subject to further detailed design.

Figure 3: Preferred overhead line alignment Figure 4: Preferred substation location

Lairg-Loch Buidhe Transmission ReinforcementWhat Happens Next?

Get in touch with our Liaison Manager

Today’s event does not mark the end of public consultation about this project. Our project team will continue to inform the local community about the work we are doing in the area and to respond to issues and queries that are raised with us.

At least one more open consultation event will be held before consent applications are submitted.

What will be happening between now and then?As a preferred substation site and overhead line route option have been selected, more detailed design work will take place. Further work will also be carried out to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment to accompany consent applications when they are submitted.

We would welcome your feedback about issues or concerns that you would like us to consider in the development of the detailed design of the overhead line and substation.

You can use one of the feedback forms available at today’s event or contact our Liaison Manager using the details below.

Feedback submitted to SHE Transmission as part of the ongoing pre-application consultation process is not part of the statutory consultation which will be carried out by the consenting authorities. Once applications for consent have been submitted, there will be an opportunity to make formal representations to the Highland Council and the Scottish Government before they take a decision.

Email lisa.marchi@sse.com Phone 07825 015507

Keep up-to-date at www.ssepd.co.uk/Lairg

Lisa MarchiSHE Transmission10 Henderson RoadInvernessIV1 1SN