Beauly to Denny line powers on

Monday, January 11, 2010

The controversial 400kV upgrade of the Beauly to Denny power line has been approved by the Scottish Government amid claims by objectors that alternatives were not properly considered.

The upgrade is expected to increase the capacity for renewable energy from the north and the decision followed a year-long public inquiry held in 2007.

Construction of the 137 mile-long overhead line must now be in place within the next 10 years and Energy Minister Jim Mather told parliament he was hopeful that it would begin this year.

Mather said: "The Beauly to Denny upgrade is the most significant grid infrastructure project in a generation. Scotland's electricity network needs significant reinforcement to allow our vast renewables potential to be harnessed, transmitted and exported – currently we simply do not have the transmission capacity to carry the green energy which Scotland will generate over the coming years.

"In reaching my decision, I have balanced the macro-economic need and benefits of the upgrade of the existing line and the visual and landscape impact at locations along the whole route.

"Approval is subject to a detailed and comprehensive range of conditions to protect the vital interests of communities, the environment, our cultural heritage and our tourism sector. The key to ensuring that the development is delivered appropriately across Scotland is ongoing engagement with local communities, their representatives and other key interests. The conditions require this."

Conditions of the plans include the creation of three "visual impact mitigation" schemes to further mitigate and protect the impact of the line in the Stirling area, at Glenside farm near Plean and at Auchilhanzie House near Crieff.

A Tourism, Cultural Heritage and Community Liaison Group will also be formed to monitor the line's progress and impact on tourism and historic and cultural heritage sites.

But while environmentalists such as WWF Scotland have welcomed the move, conservation groups like the John Muir Trust have condemned the decision claiming the government did not give due consideration to alternative transmission methods.

John Muir Trust's head of policy, Helen McDade said: "Increased requirement from on-shore wind developments can be met by reinforcing the existing east coast line with far less environmental destruction. Subsea cables are now recognised by the industry as the best way to transport electricity over significant distances, particularly if they are from offshore sources."