Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) has completed a new £7.5 million renewable electricity substation in Argyll.

The facility allows for the connection of 43MW of renewable power to the A'Cruach wind farm.

The new 132/33kV substation was built at Crarae, near Minard.

The 15 month project was carried out by a 150-strong workforce and allows for alternative distribution routes north and south of the substation, reinforcing the Argyll and Bute network.


SHE Transmission Major Projects Manager Ian Flannagan said: "This project has seen us living and working in Argyll for almost a year and a half, and in that time we've been able to link in with the local community through their network of businesses, shops and accommodation – we also used a local supplier to provide the 300 cubic metres of concrete and 15,000 tonnes of crushed stone as part of the build.

"We've worked closely with local residents to seek their views on how best to progress and it was through this process that we identified the Crarae site as being the best location for the substation and the one which would cause the least disruption.

"The layout of the substation was also reconfigured to help protect the environment and early next year further landscaping will be carried out to screen the site."

(LM)