Rannoch 132 / 33 kv Substation Extension

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1 Who we are Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution is part of the SSE plc group of companies. We own, maintain and invest in the networks in the north of Scotland the electricity transmission network (132 kv and above) and the electricity distribution network (below 132 kv). In Scotland, Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution is made up of two businesses: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) owns and maintains the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland, in some of the UK s most challenging terrain; and Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) operates the high and low voltage electricity network that distributes electricity to around 700,000 customers in north mainland Scotland and the Scottish islands. Keeping the Lights On and Supporting Growth SHE Transmission owns around 5,000 km of electricity transmission infrastructure which spans about 70% of the land mass of Scotland. Electricity networks like this provide a physical link between electricity generators and electricity users. We have three main objectives over the next decade: To keep the lights on for our customers across the north of Scotland; To invest for a greener future; and To minimise, as far as possible, our impact on the environment. Our Approach Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with local communities and keep people informed about what we are doing. This is particularly important when we are developing a proposal and we want to understand what local people think about our plans. We endeavour to take the time to discuss proposals with local community councils, encourage engagement from the wider community and listen to the feedback we receive. We will do our best to answer any questions and address issues or concerns that are raised with us. If our project progresses into construction, we will continue working closely with the local community to ensure that our work has little impact on the lives of those living and working in the area and as many long term positive effects as possible. As we are the only company that owns an electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland we are closely regulated by the energy regulator Ofgem. We are issued with a licence to operate and we must adhere to the terms of the licence. For this reason we are operated on a very separate basis to other SSE businesses. Our licence stipulates that we must develop and maintain an efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity transmission. Our responsibilities also extend to ensuring that there is sufficient network capacity and a connection for developers who wish to export their generated electricity to the national grid. If a generator applies to connect our network, we are required to facilitate this under the terms of our licence. 1

2 Programme Substation Construction Start Date May 2015 Underground Cable Works April 2015 Transformer Installation June & September 2016 Completion / Commissioning May 2017 Construction Activites Key tasks during construction of the substation would relate to: Site clearance, including removal of existing vegetation; Formation of a short section of permanent new farm track, diverted around the site; Site Traffic It is anticipated that there would be two abnormal load deliveries to the proposed substation site for the delivery of the 90 MVA 132 / 33 kv transformers. This would be undertaken by an Abnormal Indivisible Load (AIL). During operation of the substation, access to the substation would be required for general inspection and maintenance visits. Creation of temporary site construction compound and laydown area adjacent to the site; Connecting into the existing perimeter and site drainage, including SUDS; Proposed Tower Change The existing terminal tower at the substation will have the two 33 kv cross arms removed from both sides, as shown in the drawing below. Creation of a level platform through a cut-fill exercise, processing of site materials and import of commercial aggregates; Concrete foundations / bases for the building, transformers and electrical equipment; Erection of building; Installation of new electrical plant; Restoration of ground temporarily disturbed during construction; Landscape earthworks and tree / shrub planting; Erection of a security fence; and Commissioning. 4

3 Consenting Process Consent for construction of the substation extension is being sought by way of a planning application to Perth & Kinross Council under the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act Due to the size of the substation being less that 2 hectares, the development falls within the category of Local Development under the Town & Country Planning (Hierarchy of Development) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (The Hierarchy Regulations). There will be minor modifications to the existing tower at Rannoch substation. The works to remove one span of 33 kv conductor, currently strung underneath the 132 kv overhead line to Rannoch grid substation, will require a Section 37 Consent which will be obtained from the Scottish Ministers. Environmental Considerations The site has been the subject of rigorous environmental appraisal to assess potential impacts on factors such as ecology and ornithology; soils and hydrology; cultural heritage; habitat and flora; and landscape character and visual amenity. The appraisal has evaluated potential environmental impacts of the preferred substation site and has provided appropriate measures to mitigate against such impacts as appropriate. Environmental Constraints Terrestrial Ecology The proposed development would involve the removal of planted broadleaved woodland and loss of semi-improved neutral grassland habitat with some limited impact on semi-natural woodland to the north of the site. All habitats affected are considered to be of low conservation value and make up small fragments of extensive similar habitat in the area. There will be no impact on groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems and no peatlands were identified in the site boundary. Protected Species surveys identified signs of red squirrel within coniferous woodland, outwith the site boundary and will therefore be unaffected by the proposed development. No signs or places of shelter for other protected species were identified in the site boundary. Landscape and Visual The proposed development sits within a reasonably sparsely populated landscape and if built would form part of the existing transmission network present in the area. Although located within the Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area, the proposal would have a very localise effect on a very small part of the designation. In terms of visual effects, there would be temporary significant effects to one residential property, a short section of the B846 road and the Clan Trail car park, but these effects would reduce to not significant during operation with the establishment of mitigation measures proposed. Cultural Heritage There are 3 Listed Buildings in the vicinity of the proposed development, although there will be no direct impact on any of these. There will be direct impacts on minor features within the cartilage of one of these Listed Buildings; Rannoch Power Station, namely the removal of sections of contemporary concrete-posted fence line. There will be no direct impact on any other archaeological sites. Indirect direct visual impacts on the setting of the Listed Buildings are likely to be minor and seen as an addition to the existing substation and overhead transmission line infrastructure from these locations. This would be further minimised by the establishment of the proposed mitigation measures. Noise Daytime and night-time ambient and background noise measurements were carried out at the nearest noise sensitive receptor; Birchgrove, which is located approximately 206 m to the east of the proposed substation. The main noise source would be the additional 90 MVA transformer and analysing this against the recorded ambient and background noise levels at Birchgrove concluded that the level of significance during operation would be neutral. Transport An initial traffic route assessment has been undertaken, which has confirmed that the existing road network is considered suitable for the limited construction traffic required for the site. Both the A827 and B846 are frequently used by heavy vehicles and would allow for the small amount of additional heavy traffic to be accommodated. Mitigation Proposals The key mitigation measures considered to reduce the potential impacts of the scheme include: Programming construction activities to minimise adverse effects on residents, birds and other wildlife where required. Form a screen bunding to the south of the proposed development and planting of native deciduous trees. Designing the layout to maximise retention of existing trees, to build on the screening opportunities that exist around the site and to help absorb the new development into the existing landscape. Development and implementation of a site specific Construction Environmental Management Plan. 3

4 Rannoch 132 / 33 kv Substation Extension Project Background An extension is required to the 132 / 33 kv Rannoch Substation near Loch Rannoch, Perth and Kinross to facilitate the connection of a number of recently consented hydro-electric schemes, as well as to provide transmission network reinforcement. The proposed works would involve forming an extension to the existing substation at Rannoch Power Station on the Tummel Bridge to Rannoch 132 kv transmission line, near Loch Rannoch, approximately 15 km west of Kinloch Rannoch and 40 km west of Pitlochry. Project Description The development has been informed through consideration of environmental and engineering constraints and alternatives, and will comprise the following components: A 132 / 33 kv substation extension to the existing substation at Rannoch Power Station, near Loch Rannoch, to include two new 90 MVA transformers and a control room building; The erection of a new H pole and overhead line conductor from the existing tower at Rannoch substation to a new H pole; New underground cable to be laid from the new H pole to the existing substation; Use of the existing B846 minor public road, the construction of a new site entrance and a short section of permanent new track within the substation site; Realignment of an existing farm access track around the perimeter of the site; and Temporary site compound and construction laydown area located to the east of the proposed substation. In addition to the above, there will be a rationalisation and removal of most of the switchgear from the existing substation. The two new 90 MVA transformers will replace the existing two 132 / 11 kv 30 MVA units. Two new 30 MVA 33 / 11 kv units will replace the existing 10 MVA 33 / 11 kv unit and reinforce the network. 2

5 How do I have my say? We are keen to receive feedback from the local community and other interested parties on our proposal. Please also take the time at the even to speak to members of our project team, who are here to answer any questions you may have and explain the information presented on the boards. Comments can be submitted as follows: At the exhibition today complete a Comments Form and place it in the box provided. By post complete a Comments Form and post it to our Liaison Manager (details below). By complete a Comments Form and it to our Liaison Manager (details below). Comments forms and all the information from today s event will also be available to download from the projects website at Information can also be posted out to you by our Liaison Manager upon request. Please make your comments as specific as possible in order to help us consider them in relation to our proposal. The closing date for comments for this exhibition is Monday 16th March Contact details for the Project Liaison manager are as follows: Jenna Black SHE Transmission Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3AQ jenna.black@sse.com Mobile: Photographs of Rannoch Area Looking towards the proposed substation extension site, from the B846 road to the south-west with existing Power Station access and gates in foreground Looking towards the proposed substation extension site, from the B846 road to the south-west showing existing tower and native woodland planting to be retained Looking north towards the proposed substation extension site, from the south shore of Loch Rannoch with the existing Power Station and valve-house in view Area of grassland to the east of the proposed substation site to be used as a temporary site compound / lay down area 5