Dear Community Council members,
I am writing to inform you of SSEN Transmission’s plans to engage with communities within your Community Council boundary and surrounding areas to consult on our route options for Beauly Blackhillock New Deer Peterhead 400kV project.
Background
Based on requirements outlined in the Electricity System Operators’ Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design, which sets out the blueprint for the electricity transmission network infrastructure required to enable the forecast growth in renewable electricity across Great Britain, we have developed proposals to build new onshore infrastructure between Beauly and Peterhead via Blackhillock and New Deer. To facilitate these connections, and others as part of the wider strategy, new additional 400kV substations and associated infrastructure is also required in these four locations.
These reinforcements will play a key role in supporting the transition to net zero emissions and includes the following project elements:
This reinforcement project spans a significant length of the North East of Scotland. Due to this, the project can be split into the following sections, including the identified project elements required for each:
Beauly – Blackhillock
• Construct a new 400 kV connection, between the new Beauly 400kV and new Blackhillock 2 400kV substations
Blackhillock – New Deer
• Construct a new 400 kV connection from the new Blackhillock 2 400kV substation to the new New Deer 2 400kV substation.
New Deer – Peterhead
• Construct a new 400 kV connection from the new New Deer 400kV substation to the new Peterhead 400kV substation
The developments at the Peterhead Net Zero 2023 Developments include:
- Peterhead 400kV Substation 2
- Peterhead 132kV Substation 2
- Spittal to Peterhead HVDC Link Converter Station
- Peterhead to South Humber HVDC Link Converter Station
- HVDC Switching Station
The additional substations required to connect these projects have now been through the first stage of public consultation. Further information on these projects can be found at the links below.
New Beauly 400kV Substation: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/new-beauly-area-400kv-substation/
New Blackhillock 2 400kV Substation: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/blackhillock-400kv-substation/
New New Deer 2 400kV Substation: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/new-deer-2-400kv-substation/
Peterhead Net Zero 2023 Developments: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/peterhead-net-zero-2030-developments/
Due to the criticality of these works, there is a requirement for accelerated development and delivery to meet the 2030 connection dates, therefore quality community engagement will be essential to enable us to develop informed and balanced proposals.
Public Engagement
In September and October 2022, we carried out the first public engagement on this project where we presented our Corridor Option, a 10km wide pathway through which we would develop our route options. These events were well attended and feedback helped significantly shape our proposals as we move into the routeing phase of the project.
Since then, we have carried out a range of assessments to help inform potential route options which take account of the environmental, engineering, and economic factors we must closely consider. This includes things such as proximity to properties, environmental designations, existing infrastructure, and historical landmarks.
We have scheduled public consultation events equally spread across the project route. These events will allow us to share our route options, which include our preferred route at this stage, with stakeholders and seek views which will help us to further shape our proposals.
To help inform the development of a suitable route, we actively encourage stakeholders to submit any views or questions ahead of the consultation. The contact details to do so are available via the project web page: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/beauly-blackhillock-new-deer-peterhead-400kv/
Attached is a poster advertising the events, times, and locations. Any assistance you may be able to provide in sharing this information with any interested parties/communities via existing communications networks such as social media and notice boards would be much appreciated.
| Dates | Location |
| 17 April | Peterhead – Balmoor StadiumLord Catto Park, Peterhead, AB42 1EU |
| 18 April | New Deer Public HallFordyce Terrace , New Deer Aberdeenshire AB536WE |
| 19 April | Turriff – Baden Powell CentreBaden Powell Rd, Turriff AB53 4FA |
| 20 April | Keith – Keith Longmore HallBanff Road, Keith AB55 5ET |
| 21 April | Huntly – Stewart Hall15-17 Gordon St, Huntly AB54 8AJ |
| 24 April | Elgin – UHI Moray College |
| 25 April | Forres -Forres Town HallTown Hall, High St, Forres IV36 1PB |
| 26 April | Inverness – Kingsmill Hotel |
| 27 April | Beauly – Phipps Hall Station Road, Beauly, IV4 7EH |
We have arranged mailing of our postcard invites to properties within affected areas. We are aware that there were some communities that didn’t receive postcards in certain areas and more recently, postcards have arrived later that expected. We have posted these out First Class to ensure they are prioritised for delivery.
I look forward to meeting you at one of our events if you, or any representative from the Community Council are able to attend.
In the meantime, should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me by email.
Kind regards
Ryan Davidson
Ryan Davidson
Community Liaison Manager
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission
M: +44(0)7901133919