The 148 steel lattice towers are part of the new electrical transmission overhead line which will replace the existing infrastructure in the area, which was originally built in the 1950s and is now reaching the end of its operating life. The new replacement powerline is one of the most significant electricity network investments in the region in decades and will provide a new robust and reliable transmission network in the area.
The process of installing the towers involves creating a robust foundation at each tower location, which is followed by erecting the steel lattice frames of the tower in sections using a large crane. The crane manoeuvres each section into position, and a team of engineers, harnessed to the towers, fix and anchor each piece into position. So far 75 of the 148 towers are fully erected, with the remaining 73 expected to be completed by spring next year.
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Once the towers are installed, a total of 270km of overhead line wires will be pulled into position on the towers between Lochgilphead and Crossaig. Since September, over 70km of wires have already been installed, by teams using a combination of helicopters and large conductor pulling machinery.
The project is the second phase in the wider Inveraray to Crossaig powerline upgrade, with the first phase – Inveraray to Port Ann – energised in July 2021. Since then, teams have been working to reinstate the land and some of the access areas used in construction for the first phase.
The Inveraray to Crossaig overhead line will operate at 132kV, with the capacity to be upgraded to 275kV in the future, forming a key part of SSEN Transmission's Argyll 275kV strategy to create a safe and reliable network in the region.
Peter Brum, SSEN Transmission Project Manager said: "We're really pleased to reach this major milestone in the ongoing construction of the replacement line between Port Ann and Crossaig, with over half of the new reinforced steel towers now in position and ready for wiring.
"We have highly skilled teams involved in this project, and together they are making great progress in the overall delivery of this scheme even though they have faced some challenging autumnal conditions in the past few months. Despite these conditions, they have completed three quarters of the total tower foundation installations, along with the first 70km of wiring completed, and we're on track to see the new line energised in summer next year.
"As a responsible developer it is really important to us that we continue to work with the community and keep them updated on this important project as we progress. We thank them for their continued patience and understanding as we deliver this critical national infrastructure project which will serve the region for many decades to come."
The Inveraray to Crossaig overhead line reinforcement project is split into two phases. Phase one, Inveraray to Port Ann, was energised in July 2021, with Phase Two, Port Ann to Crossaig, expected to be energised in 2023 with works fully completed in early 2024.
