Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

Helping to Secure a Renewable Future: Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

The figures below indicate the status of onshore renewable energy projects in north of Scotland.

Figure 1 - Status of Hydro Power Activity (December 2011) Figure 2 – Status of Onshore Wind Farm Activity (May 2012)

Figure 3 - Growth in renewable energy developments to the north of Beauly

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Requirement for the Project

As part of its general duties as a transmission licensee SHETL requires to reinforce the existing electricity transmission infrastructure between Beauly (west of Inverness) and Dounreay (west of Thurso). The reinforcement is required in order to accommodate a large volume of renewable generation seeking connection to the grid network north of Beauly.

Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

Project Description The transmission network reinforcements between Beauly and Dounreay are being undertaken in two stages.

Stage One of the reinforcement is currently under construction and consists of the following elements:

Installation of a second 275kV circuit on the Beauly to Dounreay 275kV Overhead Line; and Rebuild of the existing Dounreay 275kV / 132kV substation.

Stage Two of the reinforcement is currently in development and forms part of a wider Caithness reinforcement strategy, which is split into northern and southern parts.

The northern part comprises works at and between Dounreay and Mybster, and consists of:

A new HVDC underground and sub-sea circuit to Moray, with new converter stations at Spittal in Caithness and Blackhillock in Moray;

Rebuild of the existing 132kV circuit to 275kV from Dounreay to Spittal; andInstalling an additional 132kV circuit between Spittal and Mybster.

The southern part comprises works between Beauly and Loch Buidhe, and consists of:

The Loch Buidhe 275kV / 132kV substation to the east of Shin; The Fyrish 275kV / 132kV substation by Alness; and The replacement of the existing western 275kV overhead circuit (BT1)

between Beauly and the proposed Loch Buidhe 275kV / 132kV substation.

The following presentation is relation to the proposed new Fyrish 275kV / 132kV substation by Alness.

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Overview Project Maps

This project is currently final stages of development with a view to progress to the submission of the application for planning permission in August 2012. As such SSE believes that regular communication with those likely to be affected by the proposal forms a critical part of its development.

As a result all decisions made during the development of the project gave consideration to the comments, views and suggestions provided by statutory and key consultees, elected representatives, communities likely to be effected , and any other interested parties.

The current programme for the project is shown below.

Site Selection Complete Identify Preferred Site Complete Planning Permission Pre-Application Period Complete Environment / Engineering Studies Complete Complete Environmental Appraisal July 2012 Apply for Planning Permission August 2012

Project Progress

This exhibition is your opportunity to ask questions about our proposals. We would greatly appreciate your feedback on our proposals so please speak to a member of the team with any comments or questions. Alternatively, you can contact:

Gavin Steel Community Liaison Manager SSE 10 Henderson Road Inverness IV1 1SN

Tel: (01463) 728109 Email: gavin.steel@sse.com

Informing the Community

Figure 4 - Beauly to Dounreay Transmission System Figure 5 - Beauly to Dounreay Phase 2 Outline Substation Site Selection Areas

Beauly to Dounreay Phase 2 - Outline Substation Site Selection Area

Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

Substation Site Selection In 2011 SSE identified seven possible sites for the proposed substation. These were selected through a process of high level screening giving due consideration to technical feasibility, cost and known environmental factors and constraints.

Consultation was undertaken with statutory and key consultees, elected representatives, communities likely to be affected, and other interested parties in order to gain a greater understanding of the key factors to identify the preferred site for development.

The outcome of this process identified the site at Culcraggie as the preferred site. The layout of the proposed substation, and associated overhead line works are presented in Figure 6 below.

Remaining Element of the Development Phase

Planning Permission - SSE will submit a formal application for planning permission to construct the Fyrish 275kV / 132kV substation in the summer of 2012, and seek to commence the construction phase (as described opposite) in the Spring of 2013 subject to all consents and approvals being in place.

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Main Elements of the Construction Phase 1. Facilitation Works - Pre-construction works to upgrade the road and access

track to accommodate construction traffic, undertake site clearance and install site services.

2. Substation Construction (Civil and Electrical) - Formation of a level construction platform, control building and base foundations, installation and commissioning of switchgear, transformers and other associated electrical equipment.

3. Overhead Line Construction - Installation of new towers and dismantling of existing towers to accommodate new line entries into the substation.

4. Underground Cable Installation - Installation of 132kV underground cabling to connect the proposed Fyrish substation to the existing Alness 132kV / 33kV grid substation.

5. Alness Substation Modifications - Modifications to accommodate the new electrical infrastructure to connect the proposed Fyrish Substation to the existing Alness grid substation.

Proposed Construction Works Timescale (Subject to Consents and Approvals)

2013QTR1

2013QTR2

2013QTR3

2013QTR4

2014QTR1

2014QTR2

2014QTR3

2014QTR4

2015QTR1

Facilitation Works

Substation Construction (Civil Phase)

Substation Construction (Electrical Phase)

Overhead Line Construction

Underground Cabling Installation

Alness Grid Substation Modifications

2015QTR2

2015QTR3

2015QTR4

Figure 6 - Proposed Fyrish Substation Site Layout

Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

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Indicative Fyrish Substation Site Layout

Fyrish Substation Visualisation

Figure 8 - Indicative Fyrish Substation Visualisation Note: The above visualisation is indicative and for illustration purposes only.

Figure 7 - Indicative Fyrish Substation Site Layout Note: The above layout is indicative and for illustration purposes only.

Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

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Fyrish Substation Photomontage

Fyrish Substation Photomontage

Figure 10 - Photomontage of the Proposed Fyrish Substation from Contullich Farm. Note: The above photomontage is indicative and for illustration purposes only.

Figure 9 - Photomontage of the Proposed Fyrish Substation from Chardon House. Note: The above photomontage is indicative and for illustration purposes only.

Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

Serving the Highlands

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A Safe and Reliable Supply of Electricity

The core purpose of our business is to transmit electricity from where it is generated to domestic, commercial and industrial customers in a safe and reliable way. Reinforcing the network serving the north of Scotland will help to take increasing quantities of renewable energy to the centres of demand as well as delivering improvements to the reliability of supply for local homes and businesses.

Construction Period

SHETL and its contractors will work hard to make sure the impacts of construction work on local residents and businesses are kept to a minimum. We will keep in touch regularly to ensure that problems can be avoided - or addressed as quickly as possible when they do occur.

Delivering Lasting Benefits

While carrying out our work, we anticipate the need to make some improvements to local infrastructure (E.g. access roads, junctions). In some cases, we may also be able to create or improve facilities in the local area for parking or storage.

We will encourage our contractors to make full use of the skills and services available within the local economy to make sure our work brings as many additional jobs and economic benefits to the area as possible.

Subject to agreement with the Highland Council, landowners and local communities, we will seek wherever appropriate to leave improvements in place so that they can benefit local people after our work is complete.

New Opportunities

We are actively pursuing ways to help young people in the Highlands gain the skills and experience they need to pursue careers within our company and across the energy sector.

We hope to expand the training opportunities available in the local area in the years ahead.

For further information about careers and opportunities with SSE or to submit your CV so we can match your skills and experience with current and future opportunities, visit www.sse.com/careers.

Community At Heart

In addition to working closely with communities during the course of our normal work, our company gives every member of staff one working day each year to support a community volunteering project that is close to their heart. If there is a project in your area that you think our staff might have the skills to help with, please ask one of our team for details.

Proposed Fyrish 275kV / 132kV Substation

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Location Plan of the existing Alness substation and the proposed Fyrish Substation

Figure 11 - Location Plan