SHE Transmission invests £39M in north of Scotland

22nd August 2013

SHE Transmission has awarded contracts worth £39m for a replacement overhead power line between Beauly and Mossford, near Garve. Full construction works on the line will start in September 2013.

The announcement is a significant step in SHE Transmission's £1.5bn programme of projects to upgrade the network in the north of Scotland.

Due to the increase in renewbale generation in the area the two 26km-long overhead tower lines are currently at full capacity. The upgrade, which will largely follow the existing route, will strengthen the transmission network and provide additional capacity to accommodate further renewables.

Engineers will dismantle the existing tower lines, including the removal of 177 towers and replace them with a single, higher capacity tower line of 97 towers.

David Gardner, Director of Transmission for SSE, said:“The existing tower lines have been in place for around 60 years and have served the area well, but with more renewable generators wishing to connect to the grid, it is now time for an upgrade.

"By placing these contracts now, we are aiming for completion of the line by the end of 2015 with further reinstatement works being completed in 2016. We will continue to work with the communities in the area to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

“In addition to the teams working on this project from our office in Inverness, I am pleased to announce that contracts have been awarded to Balfour Beatty for the overhead line works and to J Murphy & Son for the cable contract. We are also in the process of awarding the forestry and civil contracts to local firms.

"SHE Transmission is committed, where possible, to using local contractors and I would encourage all interested businesses to visit the Open4Business website for details of opportunities.

“This is another important project in SHE Transmission’s £1.5bn programme of projects to upgrade the network in the north of Scotland; supporting economic growth, securing jobs and contributing to the decarbonisation of electricity supplies.”

See photos of the Gordonbush Wind Farm at-
http://www.caithness.org/fpb/2013/august/gallery.php?gallery=8