March 1, 2012
Scotland

First pylon for Beauly-Denny mega power line completed

Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, www.strathspey-herald.co.uk 1 March 2012

The first new tower has been completed as part of the controversial Beauly-Denny mega power line which will eventually run through the south end of Badenoch.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited (SHETL) finished the construction of the very first pylon at Beauly yesterday (Wednesday).

SHETL said it marks a key stage in the project, and heralds the progress being made in releasing the large volume of renewable generation in the north of Scotland.

The volume of electricity generated from wind farms transmitted by the SHETL network exceeded 1 gigawatt (1,000 megawatts) for the first time on February 14.

It is anticipated that a number of towers will be constructed this year in various locations along the route of the line.

Related works, including the construction of access tracks have been underway throughout the past year including by Laggan.

Mr Ian Funnell, SSE’s Director of Transmission, said: “Work on the replacement line is vital in order to upgrade the grid to accommodate further onshore wind, new offshore wind and emerging marine generation in the north of Scotland.

“We are working hard to engage with local communities and interested stakeholders and looking at opportunities for longer term benefits such as local employment.

“The work on Beauly Denny has been progressing well and this marks an important milestone for the project.

“As with any project of this size and scale, we are faced with challenges but our first-class team is working hard to deliver and we are on course to complete the new line in 2014.”

The 220-kilometre long Beauly-Denny pylon line will pass close by Laggan and Dalwhinnie, as well as Schiehallion and the Wallace Monument, by Stirling.

The 600-pylon development had attracted over 17,000 objections including from the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Pylons will be as high as 65 metres in places to carry the 400kV power line which will replace the existing 132kV electricty transmission line.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/01/first-pylon-for-beauly-denny-mega-power-line-completed/