SSEN Transmission, a UK electricity network company, is seeking public feedback on its plans to expand the capacity of Scotland's east coast transmission network. The expansion project, known as the East Coast 400kV Phase 2 scheme, aims to increase the connection of renewable energy from the north of Scotland, in line with the government's 2030 targets for carbon reduction.
The project involves constructing a new 400kV overhead line between Kintore and Tealing via Fiddes, and two new substations at Fiddes and Tealing to facilitate future connections and export routes. Existing 275kV overhead lines will also be upgraded to 400kV operation between Tealing and both Alyth and Westfield.
SSEN Transmission has already identified potential route options and substation site locations, but is now seeking public feedback to refine its plans. The consultation will specifically focus on potential overhead line routes and substation site locations at Fiddes and Tealing.
Calum Grant, SSEN Transmission's lead project manager, emphasized the importance of stakeholder input in refining the project's plans. He said, “As a stakeholder-led business, we will be working closely with the local community and wider stakeholders to help inform the ongoing development of this project and encourage anyone with an interest in our proposals to visit us at one of our consultation events to share their views, which will be carefully considered as we further refine our plans.”
SSEN Transmission's goal is to help achieve the UK and Scottish government's 2030 targets for carbon reduction by upgrading critical national electricity transmission network infrastructure. The company is committed to working with the local community to ensure that the project is developed in a way that benefits everyone involved.