SSEN Transmission has begun work on identifying alternative overhead line routes and substation locations, alongside potential mitigation measures, in its plans to develop a new 400kV overhead line between Spittal, Loch Buidhe and Beauly.

This comes in direct response to community and stakeholder feedback in a recently completed public consultation.

The Spittal-Beauly project is part of a GB wide programme of electricity transmission network reinforcements that are required to deliver UK and Scottish Government net zero and energy security targets. As well as helping address the climate emergency and support plans to deliver homegrown, energy independence, these projects will deliver significant economic opportunities and jobs across the Highlands and beyond.

Given the scale of infrastructure required to meet these Government targets, SSEN Transmission recognises its network developments will have an impact on local communities and fully recognises the strength of feeling amongst some individuals and groups. SSEN Transmission's project team would like to reassure all stakeholders that they are listening and that no final decision on potential overhead line routes or substation locations have yet been taken.

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Over the coming weeks and months, the project team will continue to assess and consider all feedback with an update on potential routes and substation locations expected later this year. The next round of formal public consultation will take place towards the end of the year, where SSEN Transmission will present potential route alignments as well as an update on potential substation locations.

Whilst the recent round of consultation has now concluded, SSEN Transmission's teams will continue to engage with affected communities and wider stakeholders as it refines its plans and considers potential mitigation measures to help reduce the impacts of its infrastructure. This includes a series of local engagements planned in the coming weeks with key Community Councils and local groups, including a meeting with the Contin and Strathpeffer communities at Strathpeffer Pavilion on Thursday evening.

Martin Godwin, Community Liaison Manager for SSEN Transmission, said: "We would like to thank all stakeholders who have kindly taken their time to provide their feedback on our plans to develop a new overhead line between Spittal in Caithness and Beauly near Inverness.

"We would like to assure all stakeholders that we fully recognise the strength of feeling amongst the some and will do all we can to balance the views of local communities against the key environmental, technical and economic factors we have to consider in the development of this critical national infrastructure.

"Our team is currently considering all feedback received, including actively considering alternative routes and mitigation measures in areas of particular local sensitivity.

"We very much look forward to continuing to engage constructively with affected communities and wider stakeholders and are committed to work together to maximise the local economic opportunities and jobs this critical investment will unlock across the Highlands and beyond."