New Strathdearn substation plans to be submitted
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Further details for a proposed substation and upgraded power lines in a scenic glen by Tomatin will be unveiled later this month.
It is part of an ongoing public consultation by power company Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), which wants to build a substation near the village as well as erecting 20 kilometres of 275kV double circuit overhead line linking it with the Knocknagael substation.
Initially SSE planned to site the new facility at Garbole near the River Findhorn.
But the company was forced to change its preferred location following a storm of protest by residents and businesses and the Save Strathdearn Campaign.
They maintained the development would destroy the glen, renowned for its landscape, wildlife, salmon fishing and history.
SSE is now preparing to submit a new planning application to Highland Council for the substation.
The firm will hold drop-in events at Strathdearn Hall, Tomatin next Tuesday, 28 July and at Strathnairn Hall, Daviot the following day.
But concerns still remain among members of the local community, according to Pat Wells, a co-ordinator of the Save Strathdearn Campaign.
They include the precise location and size of the substation, plus vehicular access, particularly during construction.
“SSE has agreed to relocate the substation into some woods, but it is not as far up as they said it was going to be,” Mrs Wells said. “We wanted it to be on a site at the southern end of the Farr turbines in a hollow on the moor.”
She is also trying to establish the “footprint” of the proposed facility.
Concerns also remain about the possibility of construction traffic using the glen road. “We want all the substation traffic and future power line traffic to use the Farr wind farm access road,” she said.
Mrs Wells said residents would closely scrutinise the plans and documents displayed at the drop-in events.
SSE’s proposals also include new connections at the Knocknagael substation for the existing 132kV overhead line from Beauly and the proposed Knocknagael to Tomatin 275kV line. It plans to dismantle the existing 132kV overhead line between the Knocknagael substation and the Farr substation.
The company maintains the upgrade is needed to meet demand from renewables developers to connect to the grid.
“As the licensed owner of the transmission network in the north of Scotland we have a statutory obligation to provide a connection to the network to anyone who needs and applies for one,” an SSE spokesman said.
“Through prior consultation with a number of parties, including communities and statutory bodies, we aim to find the best solution for any requested grid connection.”
The events at Strathdearn and Strathnairn halls take place from 2pm to 7pm and will include updates on the grid connection projects for Allt Duine, Glen Kyllachy and Tom Nan Clach wind farms.
n Anyone wanting further information should contact Jenna Black of SSE at Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3AQ, telephone 07876 837490, or email jenna.black@sse.com.
