Beauly Denny

Construction of the final section of overhead line connecting Braco substation to a new substation at Denny was completed on 8 November 2015 by Scottish Power Energy Networks who operate the transmission network south of Dunblane. The final section of overhead line was successfully energised on 20 November 2015, the line is now fully operational and is transporting energy up to 400kV

A major operation will continue throughout 2016 to decommission and dismantle the original 132kV line and reinstate access tracks and ground disturbed by construction activity. Good progress has been made since 2014 with the majority of the original 132kV towers being removed between Beauly and Fort Augustus and between Fort Augustus and Tummel including the section beside the A9 between Dalwhinnie and Trinafour.

Works on four schemes associated with the consents to build the replacement 400kV overhead line will see the removal of 109km of existing overhead transmission lines, supported by steel towers, in the Highland and Perth and Kinross areas. Details of the schemes as follows:

Beauly Rationalisation which involves the installation of replacement underground circuits which will allow removal of three sections of 132kV overhead transmission line, totalling 6km, around Beauly. Energisation of the replacement circuits and removal of the overhead lines is programmed to take place in 2016.

Amulree Rationalisation has seen the successful installation and energisation of underground circuits which will allow removal of sections of 132kV overhead transmission line around Whitebridge and around Amulree, totalling 10km. The towers are expected to be removed in early 2016.

Cairngorms Rationalisation Phase One has seen the completed removal of 53km of 132kV overhead transmission line between Boat of Garten and Cairnmore, Aberdeenshire.

Cairngorms Rationalisation Phase Two is underway and will see the installation of replacement circuits between Etteridge and Boat of Garten. The replacement circuits will allow the removal of 40km of existing overhead lines, supported by steel towers, during 2016.