SSEN Transmission has selected its preferred location for the proposed Muir of Pert 275kV substation following extensive engagement with communities and stakeholders in Angus and Aberdeenshire.

A newly published Report on Consultation sets out feedback received on the favoured option, identified during the initial consultation as Site 2, located just over 4km north-east of Brechin. The report also summarises views on an alternative (Site 16) near RAF Edzell and explains how responses have informed the project's next steps.

The consultation, held between May and July, included four in-person events in Edzell, Stracathro, Craigo and Brechin. More than 15,000 local households were contacted directly with information and invitations to attend.

Input from local communities, landowners and both statutory and non-statutory consultees was assessed alongside environmental, technical and economic factors in reaching the decision. The proposed facility has also been formally named the "Muir of Pert substation".

Further surveys and environmental assessments will now be undertaken, with the next round of public consultation events planned for early 2027. SSEN Transmission expects to hold public events in February 2027 as part of a formal consultation on the developing proposals.

The Report on Consultation confirms that, following optioneering and engagement with SSEN Distribution, the upgraded Bridge of Dun Grid Supply Point can be co-located at the Muir of Pert substation. This approach will avoid the need for an additional substation in the area and remove the requirement for around 5km of new overhead lines.

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Jamie Watt, Development Project Manager at SSEN Transmission, said: "We would like to thank everyone who took the time to come along to our consultation events or provide feedback on our proposals for the new Muir of Pert 275kV substation.

"All of this feedback has been carefully considered alongside environmental, technical and economic factors. Having assessed the relative constraints associated with all potential locations, we have identified Site 2, over 4km outside of Brechin, as the preferred option to take forward, and named it the Muir of Pert substation.

"This is not the end of the consultation process. Feedback will continue to play an important role as we develop the detailed design, and we remain committed to working closely with local communities, landowners and stakeholders as our plans progress."

The proposed substation is required to enable the new connection location for the upgraded Bridge of Dun Grid Supply Point, maintaining security of supply for local homes and businesses and supporting local renewable generation and storage.

It will also help facilitate the removal of more than 82km of existing 132kV overhead line infrastructure, including over 550 structures, across Angus and Aberdeenshire, and provide additional capacity to connect future renewable generation to the East Coast transmission network.

As part of the consultation, views were sought on potential routes for new 275kV overhead lines to connect the substation to the existing Kintore–Tealing transmission overhead line. Further details are included in the Report on Consultation, with updates to follow at events in February 2027.

The project now moves into the pre-application and concept design phase, supported by further surveys and environmental assessments. Issues raised through consultation—including agricultural land, residential amenity, landscape and visual impacts, biodiversity, cultural heritage and the local road network—will continue to be assessed as proposals progress.

Additional work will examine flood risk, ecological impacts, cultural heritage assets, transport infrastructure and interactions with existing utilities. A further formal consultation is planned for the next stage, with public events scheduled for February 2027.