Electricity line project will benefit landscape
Tower removals planned
A project to remove electricity towers in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park hopes to improve their visual impact on the scenic landscape.
The SSEN Transmission project will involve removing a total of 7.8km of electrical overhead lines including 31 steel-lattice towers between Killin substation and Lix Toll. This includes removing the towers at the most prominent section above Killin and the Falls of Dochart, as well as those crossing the A827.
Instead the overhead lines will be replaced with underground cables, improving the visual impact without compromising on the quality of crucial energy transmission in the area.
The project is the fourth Visual Impact of Scottish Transmission Assets scheme – known as VISTA – carried out by SSEN Transmission to reduce the impact of its electricity transmission infrastructure in some of Scotland’s most precious landscapes. This is part of a GB wide scheme the energy regulator, Ofgem, has introduced. GB Transmission Network Operators (TNO) can apply for funding to remove infrastructure in National Parks or of National Scenic Areas (NSAs), providing an opportunity to reassess the historic infrastructure in these areas and to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of these important landscapes.
Killin sits in the north east area of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and is a popular destination for thousands of visitors due to its dramatic scenic views and historic setting.
News of the project has been welcomed by the local community, key stakeholders and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority following extensive consultation over several years.
Project manager Alistair McDonald said: “We’re pleased that construction has now started on the new VISTA project between Killin and Lix Toll, which will enable us to deliver a project that offers a significant reduction in visual impact in one of Scotland’s most unique and important landscapes.
“The first phase for us is to begin preparing the site by upgrading existing access points along the route and construction of a temporary haul road. Then works will progress with the construction of a new temporary bridge crossing over the River Dochart, before we start installing new underground electricity cables along the planned route.
“We’ve been working with various stakeholders including the community for several years before reaching this point and their input has been invaluable in getting this project off the ground. We thank them for their continued support and understanding as we now begin construction on what we see as a really beneficial project.
“We’ll work to keep all stakeholders updated as the scheme progresses and will endeavour to do all we can to keep any disruption in the area to a minimum at all times.”
The project began this month and is expected to be completed in spring 2023.
For more information about SSEN Transmission’s VISTA projects across Scotland visit: https://www.ssentransmission.co.uk/projects/vista-killin/