Engineers constructing a major new power line have reached a milestone with
half of the controversial project now complete.
A total of 267 pylons on the 137-mile Beauly to Denny line have now been
erected, according to the company carrying out the bulk of the work.
The line, which will carry renewable energy generated in the Highlands to
central Scotland, was given the go-ahead by Scottish Government ministers
in January 2010.
This was despite strong objections from countryside campaigners who said
the project will destroy some of Scotland’s most scenic areas and damage
tourism.
Construction of the bulk of the power line is being carried out by SSE,
with Scottish Power building a 12-mile stretch from Denny northwards,
taking in most of Stirlingshire.
Engineers are said to have been working flat-out to complete as many pylons
as possible before the start of winter, with the 700-strong team on track
to complete the SSE part of the line by 2015.
An average of five towers are erected every week, the power company said.
Electricity was transmitted along part of the new line for the first time
in July, and David Gardner, SSE’s director of transmission, said news that
the half-way point has been reached shows the progress being made.
“Following energisation 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,” he said.
The new line is part of SSE’s £1.4 billion investment programme, he said.
“This investment is essential in allowing the connection of renewable
energy and helping keep the lights on across the north of Scotland.”
Mr Gardner also stressed the project’s “positive contribution” in creating
jobs and to both the local and national economy, saying that this could
“not be underestimated”.
Niall Stewart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said the new power
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”.
He said: “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 £1.5 billion last year, and the jobs of
more than 11,000 people in Scotland now depend directly on renewable energy
development.”
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