Project information

We are carrying out a number of upgrades to the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland. These upgrades will reinforce the network and allow extra capacity for new generators of electricity wishing to connect to it.

One of the proposed reinforcements is to the existing electricity transmission network between Dounreay and Mybster in Caithness.

The proposed upgrade will comprise:

• Construction of a new 275,000 Volt overhead line from the existing Dounreay substation to a proposed converter station at Spittal, via a new substation near Thurso.
• Connection to the new substation at Dounreay, which is currently under construction.
• Construction of a new substation and associated cabling works near Thurso to connect the new 275kV overhead line to the existing 33,000 Volt distribution infrastructure.
• Construction of 275kV infrastructure at the proposed HVDC converter station at Spittal.
• Upgrade the existing 132,000 Volt overhead line between the Spittal converter station and the existing Mybster substation. An extension to the Mybster substation may also be required.

Our proposals for the upgrades required for the existing overhead lines between Dounreay, Thurso and Mybster are still in development. A formal consultation will be carried out in 2012

Thurso Substation:  We are at the early stages of developing plans for the new substation in the area of Gieselittle, to the south of Thurso. We have identified four possible sites for the substation. These were selected through a process of high level screening. We gave due consideration to known environmental constraints, technical feasibility (including proximity to the River Thurso and other watercourses, and the railway), proximity to the existing network, and cost.

We have held initial discussions with landowners and statutory consultees. These include The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. We have gained a greater understanding of the key factors likely to influence development at the site. These discussions, as well as further assessment of the technical issues, have led us to our preferred site. Full consideration will be given to all the comments received at this stage of consultation.

We recently held a public consultation event in Thurso. We outlined our proposals for the new substation. We would like to thank those who attended the exhibition.

Anyone who was unable to attend can review the information from the exhibition below. Comment forms are available if you contact Lisa Kelly:

SHETL Community Liaison Manager
Lisa Kelly
10 Henderson Road
Inverness
IV1 1SN.

Alternatively, please email lisa.kelly@sse.com 

Please send us your comments no later than Thursday 1 March 2012.