Dorenell Wind Farm 132 kv Grid Connection

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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 electricity 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 5,000km 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. 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. Our licence stipulates that we are obliged to 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. 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 as little impact on the lives of those living and working in the area and as many long term positive effects as possible. 1

2 Project Background We are the licenced owner of the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland. Operating under licence means that we have certain obligations that we must fulfil. These obligations include maintaining the existing network to ensure that the lights stay on and investing in the network to provide the infrastructure needed to allow generation developments to connect to it. The transmission network gathers energy from power stations, hydro-electric generation schemes and wind farms and carries it to areas where it is to be used. We work with the Transmission System Operator, National Grid, who is responsible for operating the transmission network across the whole of Great Britain, to make sure that power flows smoothly and reliably across our network. A request has been made to National Grid by the developer of Dorenell wind farm, Infinergy Limited, to provide a grid connection for the consented 212 megawatt (MW) wind farm. As the wind farm is in our Licence area, we are obligated to, and responsible for, providing the infrastructure needed to connect the wind farm. Blackhillock substation near Keith has been identified as the connection point for the wind farm on to the transmission network. The preferred option, based on technical efficiency, cost and environmental impacts, is to provide the connection between the wind farm and Blackhillock substation via twin wood pole trident overhead lines running in parallel. We have currently undertaken a route options appraisal to identify potential routes for the overhead lines, taking into account technical engineering, landowner and environmental factors. We want to seek views from local residents about our proposals. Twin wood pole trident overhead line, proposed for this project Project Overview Showing Location of Dorenell Wind Farm and Blackhillock Substation 2

3 Project Description This project requires the electrical connection between Dorenell Windfarm and Blackhillock Substation (near Keith). This includes the establishment of 2 separate 132 kv Trident Wood Pole Overhead Lines running parallel to each other over a distance of approximately 21 km and connecting the two aforementioned Substations. The Route Corridor Assessment is based on information that has been accumulated during the initial desk based assessment, and from route assessment through site walkover visits undertaken in November 2014, from an environmental perspective, and January 2015 from a technical perspective. In accordance with our Network Operators Licence, we will continue to work to identify the most technically feasible and economically viable connection route which gives rise to: The least disruption to the amenity of people living and working in the area The least impact on the physical and natural environment, and on nationally important species, habitats and cultural assets The least disruption to current land use and management practices; and The least disruption to the existing and proposed infrastructure. Should consultation results suggest that there are significant issues with our proposed route corridors or connection options; these will be taken into account during the next stage of the process. This will allow us to refine the proposed routing and carry out further detailed environmental assessment ahead of the planning submission in The site is almost entirely made up of undulating rural landscape and includes Cairds Hill to the North, Hill of Janetstown, Carran Hill, Tips of Corsemaul, Tom Mor, Hill of Macklea and The Scalp in the central section and Tod s Stone / Garbet Hill and Scaut Hill in the south. Edintore wind farm estate is located in the north of the Study Area. Constraints and Study Area 3

4 Proposed Project Timeline November 2014 March 2015 Pre Application Consultation Public Exhibitions Moray Council and Aberdeenshire Council and Stakeholder consultation on corridor / route selection and scope of environmental assessment Environmental and Technical Surveys on all route options April 2015 Initial Consultation period ends review and selection of preferred corridor and preferred routing Commence Detailed Engineering appraisal and design Commence Environmental Assessment work for Consent February 2016 Pre Application Consultations Public Exhibitions to present final proposals May 2016 Submission of Application for Section 37 Consent Late 2016 Consent Decision Contracting Tendering and Procurement Discharge of Planning Conditions Early 2017 Construction work on Overhead Lines to commence April 2018 Completion of connection and wind farm energised 4

5 Identifying Route Options A Desktop Environmental Constraints and Route Study of two corridors has been carried out. This comprised consideration of the results of statutory consultation and environmental constraints followed by a walkover survey and specialist ecological and cultural heritage desktop studies. Minor impacts were predicted for a section of Corridor A on the environmentally designated sites, landscape character and visual amenity. It is considered that application of mitigation measures could reduce these impacts to an acceptable level. The potential impacts on environmentally designated sites, landscape character and visual amenity of residential properties resulting from Corridor B however, were predicted as more significant and in the absence of bird data relating to the Tips of Corsemaul and Tom More Special Protection Areas (SPA s) more extensive rerouting of sections of Corridor B would be required. Corridor A is unlikely to result in significant environmental impacts; and is preferred to Corridor B. Minor routing adjustments will be considered to Corridor A to mitigate potential environmental and landowner impacts. Plan Showing Route Options Corridor A Corridor B Corridor A (alternative) 5

6 Environmental Constraints The environmental desktop assessment identified the following statutory designated sites: Ecology Site Designation Distance (to middle of corridor) Reason for Designation Craigs of Succoth SSSI 5.2 km from Corridor A; 4.1km from Corridor B Calaminarian grassland, serpentine heath and subalpine flushes Den of Pitlurg SSSI 0 km from Corridor A and Corridor B Upland birch woodland and valley fern Mill Wood SSSI 3 km from Corridor A and Corridor B Upland birch woodland Common Gull Moray and Nairn Coast SPA 14.7 km from Corridor A and Corridor B Breeding osprey and non-breeding common scoter, long-tailed duck, oystercatcher, bartailed godwit, wigeon, pink-footed goose, redbreasted merganser, redshank and velvet scooter River Spey SAC 1.6 km from Corridor A and Corridor B Sea lamprey, atlantic salmon, otter and freshwater pearl mussel Tips of Corsemaul and Tom Mor SPA and SSSI 0.1 km from Corridor A; 0.5 km from Corridor B Breeding common gull Auchindoun Castle Other constraints identified include: Cultural Heritage 2 Scheduled Monuments (Auchindoun Castle and Wood of Furlhead) Approximately 15 Listed Buildings Approximately Unscheduled Monuments Visual Amenity 1 Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) (Covers the area between the A941 and the A920, including Hill of Macklea, the Scalp. The Tips of Corsemaul and Tom Mor) No National Scenic Areas (NSA) Geology 1 Geological Conservation Review Site Den of Pitlurg Auchindoun Castle 6

7 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 event 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 project 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 Friday 22nd May Contact details for the Project Liaison Manager are as follows: Samantha O Connor SHE Transmission Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3AQ sam.oconnor@sse.com Mobile: Photographs of Dorenell Study Area 7