Another section of the Beauly-Denny power line has been completed and energised on schedule, it has been announced.

It is the second and largest of the three sections of the line which will eventually link the Fort Augustus and Tummel Bridge substations.

The 77km section by teams over a period of four years, often in tough and remote terrain. The line itself goes over the 2682ft Corrieyairack, the highest located transmission tower in the UK, through the Drumochter Pass and Highland Perthshire.

The energisation of the line has been carried out following the completion of a new grid substation at Tummel Bridge, as well as an an extension to an existing substation at Auchterawe, Fort Augustus.

-- Advertisement --

Alastair Brand, Project Director, commented: "I am extremely proud of the teams who have worked through harsh weather conditions in mountainous terrain in locations that some considered it technically demanding to construct a tower line.

"The central section of the project required teams to constructed 209 steel towers along the 77km route linking Fort Augustus and Tummel Bridge substations.

"This is a highly technical project that is being delivered by our principal contractor Balfour Beatty who have been professional, dedicated and when faced with problems have been innovative towards reaching solutions."

Mr Brand added that the final tower is on track to be constructed next year, and said it "would continue to work closely with Scottish Power Energy Networks, who are responsible for constructing the final section of the overhead line between Sheriffmuir and Denny".

The 220km Beauly-Denny project is scheduled to be completed in November 2015. Since its beginnings in 2010, the scheme has contributed more than £100m to the Scottish economy, as well as supporting the full-time equivalent of 1,500 jobs.

(JP/MH)