SSEN Transmission has expertise to deliver safe, secure, reliable projects

Sir – In response to Dunbeath-Berriedale Say No to Pylons Action Group’s letter (Defence sidelined by energy company’s ambitions, April 6), I wanted to take the opportunity to clarify the position.

At SSEN Transmission, we take safety, security and our obligation to consult with stakeholders seriously.

We pride ourselves on the extensive engagement activities we carry out at all stages of our project.

Our consultation on the Spittal to Beauly overhead line project has so far seen us establish route options, taking on board valuable feedback from the local community, landowners and key agencies.

We will be submitting our environmental impact assessment scoping request to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) in the coming weeks and they will invite formal feedback directly from statutory stakeholders, including the MoD, in response to it. In addition, once the project moves to route alignment stage, more information about the potential alignment and tower positions will be presented and further consultations carried out with stakeholders and communities.

Once our Section 37 application is submitted for determination by the ECU, ministers will again formally consult the MoD and other stakeholders. If there are any concerns raised by the MoD as part of that statutory process, we’ll work with them to mitigate those concerns wherever possible. There will also be an opportunity for communities, landowners and statutory agencies to submit their response to the proposals as part of the formal Section 37 application process.

At SSEN Transmission, we’ve been building and operating transmission infrastructure for decades and have the expertise, understanding and knowledge to deliver projects like Spittal to Loch Buidhe to Beauly in a way that is safe, secure and reliable. We’re continuing to welcome feedback on the projects currently in consultation via our website.

Peter McKessick, head of development, SSEN Transmission.

Objections to the huge pylons which carry electricity across rural areas are widespread.