South West Scotland Renewables Connection Project

Land Use Consultants have been commissioned by ScottishPower Energy Networks (agents for SP Transmission (SPT) Ltd) to provide specialist environmental advice in relation to the routeing and assessment of a number of proposed overhead transmission lines and underground cables, with associated substation works.

This transmission scheme is required to connect seven proposed wind farms to the electricity network. The seven wind farms requiring connection are: Kyle; Dersalloch; Brockloch Rig; Pencloe; Afton; Whiteside Hill and Ulzieside wind farms.

The Project

The project comprises a number of individual connections from the wind farms and also new SPT infrastructure required to collect the energy generated and then transport it back to the national electricity network. The individual connections and associated new substations are outlined below and shown on Figure ES1:

• Part A: 400 kiloVolt (kV) overhead line, supported on steel towers, from the existing Coylton substation to a proposed new substation at Meikle Hill (in Kyle Forest)

• Part B: 132kV overhead line, supported on steel towers, from a proposed new substation at Black Hill (west of Afton reservoir) to the new substation at Meikle Hill

• Part C: 132kV overhead line, supported on steel towers, from a proposed new substation at Glenglass (east of Afton Reservoir) to the substation at Black Hill

• Part D1: 132kV overhead line, supported on wood poles, from the Kyle North wind farm substation to the Meikle Hill substation

• Part D2: 132kV overhead line, supported on wood poles, from the Dersalloch wind farm substation to the Meikle Hill substation

• Part D3: 132kV underground cabled connection from a proposed new substation at Dun Hill to the Part B overhead line to connect Brockloch Rig wind farm

• Part D4: 33kV underground cabled connection from the Pencloe wind farm substation to the proposed new Black Hill substation.

Next Steps

Stage 1 Routeing: Following a strategic review of technical, economic and environmental constraints, a 'preferred' route for each connection was identified. SPT undertook widespread consultation on Part A in April 2007 and the routeing and consultation document relating to this can be accessed via www.landuse.co.uk/Glasgow/SWScotland.php As Parts B, C and D cross forested and sparsely populated areas, SPT limited consultation on the strategic routeing for these connections to statutory consultees and stakeholder groups with affected landowner interests.

Stage 2 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping: An EIA Scoping Report for the SWS Project was submitted to the Scottish Government on 21st September 2007, with an accompanying request for a formal Scoping Opinion. The Scoping Report can be accessed via www.landuse.co.uk/Glasgow/SWScotland_scoping.php

Stage 3 Preparation of Environmental Statement: The EIA is currently being undertaken by Land Use Consultants and associated specialists. The Environmental Statement is due to be submitted in Spring 2008 and the Non-Technical Summary will be available via this website.