Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

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1 Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Who we are Our licence stipulates that we must develop and maintain an efficient, co-ordinated and economical system of electricity transmission. What is the difference between Transmission and Distribution? Other SSE Businesses Electricity Transmission is the transportation of electricity from generating plants to where it is required at centres of demand. Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (SHE Transmission) Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution Plc (SHEPD) Southern Electric Power Distribution (SEPD) The Electricity Transmission network, or grid, transports electricity at very high voltages through overhead wires, underground cables and subsea cables. The transmission network connects large scale generation, primarily renewables, to central and southern Scotland and the rest of Great Britain. We are part of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, operating under licence as Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc for the transmission The Electricity Distribution network is connected into the Transmission network but the voltage is lowered by transformers at electricity substations, and the power is then distributed to homes and businesses through overhead lines or underground cables. of electricity in the north of Scotland. In total we maintain about 5,000km of overhead lines and underground cables easily enough to stretch across the Atlantic from John O Groats all the way to Boston in the USA. Our network crosses some of the UK s most challenging terrain including circuits that are buried under the seabed, are located over 750m above sea level and up to 250km long. Overview of Transmission projects Existing infrastructure Completed Under construction Potential development Advanced planning Shetland Orkney Gills Bay Dounreay Spittal Mybster The landscape and environment that contribute to the challenges we face also give the area a rich resource for renewable energy generation. There is a high demand to connect from new wind, hydro and marine generators which rely on Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks to provide a physical link between the new sources of power and electricity users. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is delivering a major programme of investment to ensure that the network is ready to meet the needs of our customers in the future. Western Isles Skye Mossford Beauly Lairg Fort William Dalmally Knocknagael Fort Augustus Loch Buidhe (Bonar Bridge) Denny Moray Firth Tomatin Perth Blackhillock Kintore Kincardine Aberdeen Peterhead Kintyre Hunterston Our responsibilities Arran 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. We are issued with a licence to operate and we must adhere to the terms of the licence. For this reason we operate on a very separate basis to other SSE businesses.

2 Fort Augustus Skye Project Project Overview We are in the early stages of developing a project which will provide an increase of electrical capacity for the Isle of Skye. An additional 132kV overhead line to Skye is required to enable the connection of new generation located in the north of the island. This will also improve the resilience of the transmission network between Fort Augustus and Skye. The main elements of the project are as follows: Construction of an additional, new 132kV overhead line using a double trident H wood pole from the existing Fort Augustus substation to the existing Broadford substation; a small section above 400m may require a steel support arrangement. Installation of additional equipment and minor works at the existing Edinbane substation; and Construction of a replacement, higher capacity, 132kV overhead line using a double trident H wood pole between the existing Broadford substation and the existing Edinbane substation; Whilst we are still at an early stage of the project development we do not anticipate any physical expansion of the Broadford and Edinbane substations nor any new or additional equipment being installed within the existing site boundary. The project will connect into existing infrastructure at the Fort Augustus substation. Installation of additional equipment and minor works on the 33kV network at the existing Broadford substation; Route Corridor Preferred Route Option (approximately 1km wide) Dismantle and remove the existing 132kV overhead line connecting Broadford and Edinbane substations.

3 Project Timeline The chart below shows the main stages of the development process and the opportunities where members of the public can provide comments or feedback in regards to proposals. Please note that all dates are indicative at this stage. Early 2016 Initial consultation and options assessment Consultations with key statutory bodies such as Scottish National Heritage, The Highland Council, Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Environment Protection Agency have been undertaken to seek feedback on the project and assessment methodologies. Engineering and high level environmental studies have also been carried out on the technology / corridor options. Spring 2016 Technology confirmed and route selection study started Proposed technology and overhead line corridor (wide area between connection points) identified and further environmental studies undertaken within the defined corridor. Route options identified, options appraisal undertaken and preferred route identified. September 2016 Public consultation Consultation with statutory, non-statutory bodies and communities on initial project proposals. Document detailing scope of consultation published. Autumn 2016 Summer 2017 Further environmental studies, initial overhead line design and alignment selection progressed Review all feedback and publish the Report on Consultation. Confirm the proposed route. Undertake further environmental studies and initial engineering design to identify the preferred alignment for the overhead line. Confirm the preferred alignment for the overhead line. Summer 2017 Late 2017 Consultation on preferred alignment selection Undertake consultation on the preferred alignment for the overhead line and hold further public consultations. Late 2017 Early 2019 Consent application & contract tendering Confirm the proposed overhead line alignment and publish the Report on Consultation. Progress Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), negotiations with landowners, preparation and submission of Section 37 consent application, contract tendering and procurement detailed design. Early 2020 Late 2022 Construction and commissioning

4 Technical Options Assessment Existing Infrastructure The existing 132kV overhead line which connects Fort Augustus and Skye consists of three distinct sections, which were constructed at different times over the past 65 years in response to changing needs. These include: Fort Augustus Substation Skye Tee Quoich steel lattice towers designed to carry a single circuit (three conductors) Quoich to Broadford steel lattice towers designed to carry two circuits, presently strung with a single circuit Broadford to Dunvegan trident wood pole designed to carry a single circuit Assessed Options A number of different technical solutions have been considered in the early design stages including the construction of a new connection or upgrading and using existing infrastructure. These options have been compared in order to understand the most balanced solution whilst considering technical, economic, environmental and consenting factors. The following table provides a summary of this comparison and highlights our proposed technical solution to achieve the increase in capacity between Fort Augustus and Skye. Technology options appraisal Trident 'H' Wood Pole proposed technology. Serial Technology Type Technical safety, access & ease of construction, security of supply, meets generator connection requirements Environmental/Consenting Land use, landscape & visual, protected species and habitats Economic Capital & operational costs Operational Ease of maintenance, safety, restoration of supply 1 Single circuit wood pole (H configuration) 2 Double circuit steel lattice tower 3 Single circuit wood pole (H configuration) but utilising the existing assets where possible 4 AC subsea cable and single circuit wood pole (H configuration). 5 HVDC Subsea cable and single circuit wood pole (H configuration) 6 Reconductor the existing circuit with a higher capacity conductor 7 New technology composite poles & high temperature conductors (HTCs) 8 Cable a new circuit using using HVDC technology 9 Cable a new circuit using AC technology Most preferred Least preferred

5 Routeing Process and Considerations Our overhead line projects are subject to a detailed routeing process. This ensures the final design meets network requirements, is cost effective, causes the least impact on important resources or features of the environment and least disturbance to The routeing process is carried out in stages which look progressively in more detail at where the overhead line will be sited, from a wide area (corridor), to a route (generally 1km wide), to an alignment (generally 200m wide). The stages that are carried out can vary depending on the type, nature of and size of project and consultation is carried out at each stage of the process. This project is at the route selection stage. those living, working, visiting or using the area for recreational purposes. Section 1: Edinbane to Sligachan Fewer landscape and visual constraints, less impacts on ecological designations (Sligachan Peatlands SAC/SSSI and Cullins SPA) and fewer impacts on cultural heritage features and setting of Scheduled Monuments. Route 1B alternative Easier access requirements during construction and operation, better ground conditions. Preferred Section 2: Sligachan to Broadford Easier access requirements during construction and operation, better ground conditions, easier to maintain and quicker to repair faults. Route 2B Slightly better with respect to potential landscape and visual, and ecological impacts around The Cullins however significantly higher costs associated with subsea cable and maintenance, with long outages if fault occurs. Preferred Section 3: Broadford to Kyle Rhea Less impacts on landscape and visual issues, however felling within the environmental designation would be required. Route 3B Construction and maintenance much easier as less steep topography, better ground conditions and access, also lower construction costs. Preferred Route 3B alternative Section 4: Kyle Rhea to Loch Quoich Fewer impacts on landscape and visual and cultural heritage features. Route 4B Construction and maintenance much easier as less steep topography, better ground conditions and access, also lower construction costs. Preferred Section 5: Loch Quoich to Invergarry Fewer impacts on landscape and visual and cultural heritage features. Route 5C Construction and maintenance much easier due to access and less tree felling required. Preferred Section 6: Invergarry to Fort Augustus Fewer impacts on landscape and visual in the southern part only. Route 5C Fewer impacts on landscape and visual in the northern part only. Preferred combination of Route 6A (Existing southern section) and 6C (Skye Tee route in north section)

6 Environmental designations The map below demonstrates the extent of the environmental designated sites between Edinbane and Fort Augustus. As part of the routeing process the major areas of high amenity value, which includes cultural heritage sites and areas of nature conservation, are avoided where possible. Further detailed environmental studies will continue during 2016 and 2017 to support the routeing design process and potential Section 37 application. Sec ti Sec on 2 tion 3 If you are interested in any particular environmental sensitivity or have detailed information that may be useful in progressing the project, please contact a member of the Project Development team. 1 n 2 io ct on Se ecti S Section 4 Section 5 S Se ect ct ion io n n io n 4 ct Se ctio e S Route Corridor Preferred Route Option Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Proposed marine Protected Area (pmpa) Special Protection Area (SPA) National Nature Reserve (NNR) Marine Protected Area (MPA) National Scenic Area (NSA) Wild Land Area (WLA) Inventory Garden or Designed Landscape (GDL) Special Landscape Area (SLA) Scheduled Monument (SM) Inventory Historic Battlefields Site

7 Feedback Thank you for taking the time to find out about our plans for increasing the Community Liaison Manager Kelly Scott capacity of the electricity network between Fort Augustus and Skye. The project is in the early development stages and we openly welcome comments and feedback to help us refine our proposal. We are very keen to ensure that members of the community understand our initial proposal as it will be refined and taken forward to a Section 37 planning application made to the Scottish Government. Please take a feedback form. You can complete it today, or you can post it back to us at the address provided. Information can also be posted out to you by our Community Liaison Manager upon request. Comments Comments can be submitted as follows: At the exhibition today: Complete a Comment Form and place it in the box provided Kelly.Scott@sse.com Kelly Scott SHE Transmission Inveralmond House 200 Dunkeld Road Perth PH1 3AQ Follow us Why not follow Scottish and Southern Energy Networks on social media and keep up-to-date with all latest news and events? Find us on Facebook: SSEN Community Follow us on Online: Complete a Comment Form online by visiting the project webpage: fort-augustus-skye 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). Download Comments forms and all the information from today s event will also be available to download from the project website at: fort-augustus-skye Request 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 proposals. The closing date for comments for this consultation is 11th November 2016