January 19, 2015
Scotland

Highland grid connection proposals to go on show

By Jane Candlish | The Press and Journal | 19 January 2015 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Members of the public will get their latest look at plans to connect two proposed windfarms to the electricity network later this month.

Scottish Hydro Electric Tranmission (Shet) is considering burying some cables as part of the project to link the Bhlaraidh and Beinneun windfarms to the Auchterawe substation at Fort Augustus.

Both schemes have planning consent but construction work has yet to start.

Bhlaraidh windfarm, which will be built by SSE itself, will comprise 32 turbines in the hills above Loch Ness.

Each of the devices will be up to 442ft high.

The Beinneun windfarm will be made up of 25 turbines on Meall Dubh, close to the existing Millennium windfarm.

Last year, developers Blue Energy applied to the Scottish Government to extend the length of the turbine blades from 433ft to 438ft. A decision has yet to be announced.

Shet spokesman Neil Anderson said the plans for transferring power to the Fort Augustus substation were complex and included a combination of restringing existing lines, burying other sections and building wooden poles.

He said the exhibitions at the end of a January would signal the beginning of an eight-week public consultation, finishing in April.

A planning application could be submitted to the Scottish Government in May.

The meetings will take place at Fort Augustus Village Hall on January 27 and at the Millennium Hall, Invermoriston, on January 28.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/19/highland-grid-connection-proposals-to-go-on-show/