Consultation launched to underground distribution power lines in Scotland

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) is urging the public to nominate overhead distribution power lines running across officially designated beauty spots that they would like to see go underground.

The electricity operator has launched a six month consultation to identify 48km of its overhead distribution network in National Parks and National Scenic Areas that can be undergrounded.

The £5.5 million project will give the public, authority groups and charities the opportunity to nominate overhead line sections, normally carried on wooden poles, within SHEPD’s network areas which they would like to be considered for undergrounding.

SHEPD is responsible for maintaining the electricity networks supplying around 750,000 homes and businesses in the north of Scotland, the Highlands and Islands.

SHEPD will work with a variety of planning offices with responsibility for National Parks and National Scenic Areas to help it compare and prioritise the nominated sections. The cost to underground the overhead sections can vary due to the voltage, length of circuit and geography and these will be considered when selecting the final areas.

Kirstine Wood, Stakeholder Engagement Manager with SHEPD, who is working on the project said: "We want our customers to play an important role in deciding which areas we consider for undergrounding. Overhead power lines are vital to ensure a safe, reliable and cost effective electricity network. However, we understand people feel they can have a detrimental impact on the views of the natural environment. To help address this concern we are launching a programme of undergrounding overhead lines in National Parks and National Scenic Areas.

"We will engage with our customers and stakeholders to consider which sections of the overhead network can be undergrounded in a cost effective way and improves the visual impact of the natural environment. Undergrounding overhead lines is expensive and can often cause more damage to the environment than wooden poles or towers. Therefore we have to carefully consider each nominated area, work closely with other utilities, landowners and public bodies to plan and identify the best areas where we can do the work."

To nominate an area people need to complete a form on SHEPD's website. Submissions will require a photography of the suggested area to show the current impact the overhead line causes.

Kirstine Wood said: "We encourage anyone who would like an eligible area to be considered to fill in the form. We cannot guarantee all nominations will be selected but we will consider every submission and we will speak with everybody to explain our decisions."