Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission), part of SSE Plc, is celebrating a milestone in the construction of the Beauly to Denny powerline.
The erection of the 267th tower marks the half way point in the project with the final bolts being tightened on the tower located at the foot of the historic Corrieyairack Pass. Excellent progress has also been made on three rationalisation schemes which will result in over 100km of overhead lines being removed.
David Gardner, SSE’s Director of Transmission said: “Following energsiation of the north section of the line in July, this landmark is a further demonstration of the good progress being made; a testament to the teams of engineers who are working in some of Scotland’s toughest terrain.”
“The positive contribution the project has already made in terms of job creation and adding to local and national economies cannot be underestimated and we expect these benefits will be replicated across the other grid upgrades being progressed as part of our £1.4bn investment programme. This investment is essential in allowing the connection of renewable energy and helping keep the lights on across the north of Scotland.”
Engineers responsible for tower construction are working flat out to complete as many towers as possible before the hostile Scottish winter bites. A 700 strong team of engineers has been making the most of the recent favourable weather and remains on programme to complete the SHE Transmission section of the line by 2015. Construction of the remaining towers is progressing well with an average of five towers being erected every week.
Niall Stewart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables also commented on the milestone:
“The Beauly-Denny line is key to delivering Scotland’s renewable electricity targets and essential to connect wind, wave and tidal projects in the north of the country to the grid.
“Quite simply, there can be no wave or tidal industry in Scotland without it so it is great to see SSE’s section on track to be finished in 2015 – by when Scotland will be generating more than half of its electricity needs through renewables.
“This is good news for the whole renewable energy industry and all those who depend on the continued growth of the sector. Investment in renewables topped £1.5bn last year, and the jobs of more than 11,000 people in Scotland now depend directly on renewable energy development.”
Press release, October 17, 2013; Image: sse