The final Report on Consultation for a proposed new 400kV overhead line running from Spittal via Loch Buidhe to Beauly has been published. The project, part of SSEN Transmission's £20 billion 'Pathway to 2030' investment program, will play a crucial role in delivering clean renewable power across Scotland and the UK.

The report outlines the final overhead line route alignments that will be taken forward to planning consent and development. It also includes three new substations along the route.

The report summarizes the feedback received during three rounds of public consultation and outlines how these responses have been considered in the final route alignments.

"Throughout the consultation process, key sections of the overhead line route have been reviewed and changed to reflect community and stakeholder feedback, helping to minimise local impacts," said a spokesperson for SSEN Transmission.

Examples of changes made to the route include:

• Dunbeath: The more inland of two potential routes has been selected to reduce impacts on the community.

• Helmsdale: An inland option has been chosen to minimize impacts on local communities.

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• Bonar Bridge: The route presented in the previous consultation is being progressed, with measures implemented to minimise impacts on Culrain and Carbisdale Castle.

The report will be presented to the public at engagement events scheduled for February and March 2025.

A webinar will be held on Tuesday, 4 February, to provide an overview of the Reports on Consultation for all three 400kV overhead line projects within the "Pathway to 2030" program, including the Spittal to Beauly route.

Commenting on the publication of the final Report on Consultation, Rebecca Gay, Senior Development Project Manager, said:  "We have engaged extensively with local communities and stakeholders throughout the development of this project, and we would like to thank all those who have taken the time to provide the constructive feedback that has helped to shape our proposals.

"Our final Report on Consultation reflects the important role this engagement has played, resulting in changes to key sections of the overhead line route and various other plans to mitigate local concerns.

"Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is crucial if we are to achieve the country's energy security and clean power objectives, and it's also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and across the north of Scotland.

"In February and March we will be holding a further series of public engagement events where we will present our final alignment plans for the development of this critical national infrastructure."

The proposed Spittal to Beauly 400kV project is one of a series of major onshore and offshore projects being taken forward through a £20bn+ investment to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland.

Known as the Pathway to 2030 programme, it will create and support thousands of jobs in the region, both at SSEN Transmission and through the wider supply chain, while delivering an anticipated £100m+ in community benefit funding for communities located close to new transmission infrastructure. And the Perth-headquartered business has also pledged to help tackle the north of Scotland's housing crisis by supporting the delivery of more than 1,000 new homes across the region as a legacy of its workforce accommodation requirements to construct the projects.