Perth and Kinross councillors have approved both the Cambushinnie 400kV Substation and its associated haul track near Braco, a decision welcomed by SSEN Transmission.
The approvals mark a significant milestone for SSEN Transmission's proposed upgrade of the existing Beauly to Denny overhead line, which will increase the capacity of both circuits to 400kV. Currently, one circuit operates at 400kV while the second operates at 275kV.
Key component of £29bn investment programme
The Beauly-Denny uprating project is a key component of SSEN Transmission's £29bn investment programme, part of a wider upgrade of the electricity grid across Great Britain. SSEN says the investment is required to help unblock grid bottlenecks, deliver energy security and unlock clean, affordable, homegrown electricity for households and businesses across the country.
The Cambushinnie 400kV Substation will be located immediately west of the existing Braco West 275kV substation and will connect to the existing overhead line, with an underground cable connecting both substations. The new outdoor Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation is a key component of the wider Beauly to Denny upgrade, enabling increased transmission capacity to support the delivery of renewable electricity generated across Scotland.
Haul track designed to minimise community impact
Alongside the substation, the approved haul track will provide a dedicated route for substation construction traffic, including the delivery of large components such as 400kV transformers. Connecting from the A822 and intersecting the B8033 before joining the existing access track to the substation site, SSEN says the haul route has been designed to minimise impacts on local communities by diverting substation construction traffic away from Braco village. This will ensure that, once the haul road is complete, no substation traffic will pass Braco primary school.
Councillors and the Braco and Greenloaning Community Council had previously raised concerns about Braco Primary schoolchildren's safety crossing the B8033 during construction work. The plans were eventually approved on August 19 on the conditions that SSEN met requirements for upgraded road surfacing, widened access, further road safety measures, and community liaison.
Community engagement and positive legacy
The proposals include a range of measures aimed at minimising impacts and enhancing outcomes for the local area, alongside continued engagement with communities and stakeholders as the projects move forward, which SSEN hopes will "ensure the project can leave a positive legacy".
Alison Hall, director of development for SSEN Transmission, said: "We are pleased at Perth and Kinross Councillors decision to approve Cambushinnie 400kV Substation and the associated haul track following Wednesday's Full Council meeting.
"Together, these decisions provide the certainty needed to move forward with a project that is vital to upgrading the Beauly to Denny overhead line and strengthening the electricity transmission network for the future.
"The haul track forms a critical part of our plans to minimise construction impacts on local communities. Once operational, it will route all substation construction traffic, including heavy goods vehicles and deliveries of major equipment, away from Braco village and the school, significantly reducing the number of construction vehicles using local roads during the main construction period. We know how important this has been to local people and we are delighted that a solution is now in place which addresses community concerns and balances technical requirements.
"Investment in the electricity transmission network is about far more than infrastructure. It is supporting jobs, creating long-term economic opportunities, generating community benefit funding, and developing the clean, homegrown energy that is the key to lower energy bills."
Together, the projects form part of SSEN Transmission's £29bn investment programme to transform the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland by 2030. A report published by SSEN Transmission in June – Re-energising the North: Transforming Scotland – shows that this programme will support up to 1,500 local jobs through Perth and Kinross-based projects and SSEN Transmission's headquarters presence in Perth.
The Cambushinnie project itself will generate local employment and supply chain opportunities during construction and operation, alongside more than £500,000 in community benefit funding for the local area. Construction timescales for both the haul track and substation will be confirmed in due course, with work on the substation scheduled to begin only after the haul route is complete and available for use.
A dedicated community liaison group (CLG) will also be established, creating a clear channel for communication between the project team and the local community during construction. The CLG will provide a dedicated forum to share updates, discuss construction activities, support ongoing engagement and provide feedback directly to the project team.
