The proposed substation projects are an integral part of the Skye Reinforcement scheme, which will ensure security of supply to homes and businesses across Skye and the Western Isles, and facilitate the connection of renewable energy across the region.
The Skye Reinforcement Project would be one of the most significant energy investments in the West Highlands since power was first brought to the area in the 1950s. The project would unlock hundreds of skilled jobs and deliver over £1.2bn to the UK economy over the lifetime of the asset, including £300m worth of local benefits, as well as create £160m worth of net carbon benefits to the UK over the lifetime of the asset from the connection of low carbon energy, displacing harmful emissions from fossil fuel based generation. The new overhead line will replace the existing line between Fort Augustus and Broadford on the Isle of Skye, and will comprise of steel lattice towers, wood pole overhead line and sections of underground cable.
To help facilitate the reinforcement of the transmission line, the extensions of two existing substations at Edinbane and Broadford are required to facilitate the additional components and equipment essential in the operation of the new overhead line.
The pre-application consultation events planned this month are to share more details about and seek feedback on the required changes to the size of the existing substation sites, meaning that a slightly larger footprint from what was previously proposed during consultations in autumn 2021 will be required for both Edinbane and Broadford.
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The change in the substations' footprint is to accommodate the required electrical equipment to support the addition of underground cable as part of the design solution - removing the need for overhead lines in a large part of the Cuillin Hills National Scenic Area on Skye.
Members of the public are invited to share their views on the proposals at in-person public exhibitions on Thursday 8 September at Skeabost Memorial Hall between 10am-1pm, and at Broadford Village Hall between 3pm and 7pm. This is an open-door drop-in session for anyone interested in learning more about the project. During our drop-in events, you will be able to view key project information about the substation reinforcement and extension proposals and there will be opportunity for members of the community to ask questions to the project team and share feedback ahead of submission of planning applications.
An online virtual consultation event will also be held on Monday 12 September between 5-7pm, and has been designed to be fully interactive, allowing for presentation of key project information and plans. Visitors will be able to engage directly with the project team via a live instant messaging chat function, where they can ask any questions they might have about the project and share their feedback on the current proposals.
Euan Smith, SSEN Transmission Project Manager, said: "The proposed extensions to the existing substations at Edinbane and Broadford substations will allow us to build the required infrastructure to support the wider Skye Reinforcement Project.
"The original substation footprints have changed since we consulted on them last year, as we're now undergrounding a section of the route to avoid the need for overhead lines across parts of the Cuillin Hills National Scenic Area meaning additional substation equipment is required to support this. As such, we're inviting members of the public to share their views on the new substation extensions and we welcome any feedback on our proposals.
"The proposed Skye Reinforcement Project will help provide security of electricity supply across Skye and the Western Isles, and also allow the transportation of low carbon electricity from where it's generated to where it's needed, supporting the transition to net zero emissions and the fight against climate change.
"As a responsible developer, we are committed to working with the local community as we continue to develop our proposals and we would encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more about our plans to drop in to one our face-to-face sessions in Skeabost or Broadford or join our virtual consultation to learn more."
