Introduction

This booklet contains information on the project being undertaken by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) and Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) to replace the existing 132 kilovolt (kV) electricity line from Beauly to Denny with a 400kV line

This booklet forms one part of a range of communications aimed at keeping people and organisations with an interest in the project informed of its progress

Here we cover issues including

mdash Why the line is being replaced

mdash Who is involved in the work

mdash Where the line will be located

mdash What work is involved in its replacement

mdash When the work will take place

mdash How to contact us for more information

If you have any questions please do get in touch you will find contact details on the back page of this booklet

Photographs in this booklet are taken from similar UK electricity infrastructure projects and indicate the type of work that will be involved in the Beauly-Denny Replacement Transmission Line Project In practice the actual work and resulting structures may vary to some extent

2

Why is the Beauly-Denny transmission line being replaced

As the amount of renewable energy generation in Scotland increases prompted by Scottish and UK government targets aimed at tackling climate change changes in the electrical infrastructure are needed to allow the energy produced by these developments to reach areas where the power is required

As owners of Scotlandrsquos high voltage electricity transmission network SHETL and SPT are required to make sure the electricity transmission network is capable of safely connecting and transmitting the energy produced by generators

Having considered many options in 2005 in order that we could meet this obligation SHETL and SPT proposed the replacement of the Beauly-Denny line as a solution which would balance cost effectiveness with minimised social environmental and economic impacts

The new line will have a rating of 400kV which is greater than the 132kV rating of the existing line This means it will be capable of carrying much more electricity and so will allow power produced by new sources of generation to be distributed across the country

Following a long consultation and planning process which involved a Public Inquiry the Scottish Ministers gave their consent for the development in January 2010

Under industry rules the cost of building and maintaining the electricity network including replacing and upgrading transmission lines is met by all electricity customers in the UK via charges which form part of their electricity bills To make sure that customers do not have to pick up excessive costs the amount of money SHETL and SPT spend on the network is controlled by the industry regulator Ofgem

ldquoApproval is subject to a detailed and comprehensive range of conditions to protect the vital interests of communities the environment our cultural heritage and our tourism sectorrdquo Jim Mather Energy Minister

4

Project Scope

The project to replace the existing 132kV Beauly-Denny transmission line with an upgraded 400kV line will involve a range of work being undertaken along the 220km route

Around 600 new towers will be erected on which higher-capacity 400kV electricity wires will be carried and six substations will be either built extended or upgraded

To achieve this improvements will be made to a number of public roads and some trees will be cut back or felled Once this is completed we will construct access tracks most of which will be temporary from the public roads to gain access to the tower locations

In addition to ensure safe working conditions for the construction of the new line some sections of existing lines will be either deviated or placed underground

Once the new line is commissioned the existing 132kV transmission line and associated towers will be dismantled removed and the ground reinstated

On the following pages we provide more detail on all of these aspects of the project

Safety and Access

Our top priority during this project is the safety of our workforce and members of the public Everyone working on the project will be trained to operate safely throughout all aspects of construction

Our safety precautions will require a limited number of road closures and we will work closely with the relevant authorities to keep local residents informed We will also work to maintain access to rights of way ensuring that any temporary access tracks that coincide with such routes are built so that walkers and other users can access them throughout the construction period

We aim to manage the project so that as far as possible it is lsquobusiness as usualrsquo for people living working and visiting areas along the length of the route

5

What will the towers look like

To ensure that the electricity is transmitted safely and efficiently the electricity towers needed to carry the replacement 400kV line are larger than those used for the existing 132kV line

There will be three main types of towers used in building the replacement line

mdash Line towers used for straight sections of the line

mdash Angle towers used where the line changes direction

mdash Terminal towers used where an overhead line terminates for example at substations

The towers will be of a similar steel lattice design to the existing 132kV towers

They will vary in size depending on the exact ground conditions and landscape at each site The tallest tower will be approximately 65 metres high the shortest will be around 42 metres The majority of towers will be less than 57 metres

Typical line tower Light angle tower Heavy angle tower

The route of the replacement line and the technical requirements of a higher voltage connection mean that the number of towers required to carry the line will reduce from 815 to around 600 Careful routeing means there will be just three properties within 100 metres of the line compared to 97 within that distance of the existing line

6

Substations

Substations are needed to connect local demand and generation to the grid They serve two main purposes

mdash Changing the voltage of the electricity to levels suitable either for transmission of large quantities of electricity over long distances (higher voltages) or for the distribution of power to local homes and businesses (lower voltages)

mdash Providing the ability to switch electricity flow onto different circuits to allow maintenance and other works on the network

The Beauly-Denny replacement line involves six substations located as follows

mdash Beauly the existing substation will be extended to the west

mdash Fasnakyle the current substation will be redeveloped entirely within its existing footprint

mdash Fort Augustus the existing substation will be extended to the south

mdash Tummel Bridge a new substation will be constructed at the edge of the village

mdash Braco a new substation will be built at Feddal Hill west of the village (the existing substation at Braco will in time be removed)

mdash Denny a new substation will be built at a site near Dunipace where there is an existing electrical infrastructure site

The substations will consist of a fenced area containing electrical equipment including transformers switchgear and overhead line towers

8

Access

An important factor in any major engineering project is site access both for construction and maintenance

In building the replacement line we have to make sure that the workers plant and equipment can get to site safely and with minimum disruption to local traffic This means that we need to create many small and some larger access tracks from the public roads Prior to this we will need to organise some improvements to the local public roads

Most access tracks will be temporary Where possible we will use or upgrade existing paths and tracks however there will be occasions when we need to create new tracks We will ensure all necessary permissions are in place to do this work

The way the tracks are built will vary depending on their location existing land use and ground conditions but we will always try to make them as unobtrusive as possible using local materials if we can

During the construction phase we will work with local agencies to make sure that the necessary traffic management plans are in place and that as far as possible our work is scheduled to avoid busy periods

Access tracks will be constructed using local stone as much as possible minimising transport of materials

9

Environment

Environmental issues are one of the most important aspects of the Beauly-Denny Replacement Line Project

Detailed research has already been conducted to identify all environmental issues for each project working area Aspects considered at each site include

mdash Protected species

mdash Breeding birds

mdash Protected habitats

mdash Private water supplies

mdash Watercourses

mdash Archaeology

Information on each aspect is provided to each team working on site so that they can identify the environmental risks relevant to site activities and ensure that the correct protective measures are put in place The core of this information is a zoned map like that shown opposite which illustrates the environmental issues of particular importance at that working area Maps like these will be provided for every working location and incorporated into site-specific environmental management plans

A method statement for each activity on site informed by the zoned map and additional information will be produced for each activity on every site before the work begins

To support operational teams there are environmental advisers and field specialists who will guide construction teams on mitigation measures and will monitor environmental performance throughout the project

10

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Why is the Beauly-Denny transmission line being replaced

As the amount of renewable energy generation in Scotland increases prompted by Scottish and UK government targets aimed at tackling climate change changes in the electrical infrastructure are needed to allow the energy produced by these developments to reach areas where the power is required

As owners of Scotlandrsquos high voltage electricity transmission network SHETL and SPT are required to make sure the electricity transmission network is capable of safely connecting and transmitting the energy produced by generators

Having considered many options in 2005 in order that we could meet this obligation SHETL and SPT proposed the replacement of the Beauly-Denny line as a solution which would balance cost effectiveness with minimised social environmental and economic impacts

The new line will have a rating of 400kV which is greater than the 132kV rating of the existing line This means it will be capable of carrying much more electricity and so will allow power produced by new sources of generation to be distributed across the country

Following a long consultation and planning process which involved a Public Inquiry the Scottish Ministers gave their consent for the development in January 2010

Under industry rules the cost of building and maintaining the electricity network including replacing and upgrading transmission lines is met by all electricity customers in the UK via charges which form part of their electricity bills To make sure that customers do not have to pick up excessive costs the amount of money SHETL and SPT spend on the network is controlled by the industry regulator Ofgem

ldquoApproval is subject to a detailed and comprehensive range of conditions to protect the vital interests of communities the environment our cultural heritage and our tourism sectorrdquo Jim Mather Energy Minister

4

Project Scope

The project to replace the existing 132kV Beauly-Denny transmission line with an upgraded 400kV line will involve a range of work being undertaken along the 220km route

Around 600 new towers will be erected on which higher-capacity 400kV electricity wires will be carried and six substations will be either built extended or upgraded

To achieve this improvements will be made to a number of public roads and some trees will be cut back or felled Once this is completed we will construct access tracks most of which will be temporary from the public roads to gain access to the tower locations

In addition to ensure safe working conditions for the construction of the new line some sections of existing lines will be either deviated or placed underground

Once the new line is commissioned the existing 132kV transmission line and associated towers will be dismantled removed and the ground reinstated

On the following pages we provide more detail on all of these aspects of the project

Safety and Access

Our top priority during this project is the safety of our workforce and members of the public Everyone working on the project will be trained to operate safely throughout all aspects of construction

Our safety precautions will require a limited number of road closures and we will work closely with the relevant authorities to keep local residents informed We will also work to maintain access to rights of way ensuring that any temporary access tracks that coincide with such routes are built so that walkers and other users can access them throughout the construction period

We aim to manage the project so that as far as possible it is lsquobusiness as usualrsquo for people living working and visiting areas along the length of the route

5

What will the towers look like

To ensure that the electricity is transmitted safely and efficiently the electricity towers needed to carry the replacement 400kV line are larger than those used for the existing 132kV line

There will be three main types of towers used in building the replacement line

mdash Line towers used for straight sections of the line

mdash Angle towers used where the line changes direction

mdash Terminal towers used where an overhead line terminates for example at substations

The towers will be of a similar steel lattice design to the existing 132kV towers

They will vary in size depending on the exact ground conditions and landscape at each site The tallest tower will be approximately 65 metres high the shortest will be around 42 metres The majority of towers will be less than 57 metres

Typical line tower Light angle tower Heavy angle tower

The route of the replacement line and the technical requirements of a higher voltage connection mean that the number of towers required to carry the line will reduce from 815 to around 600 Careful routeing means there will be just three properties within 100 metres of the line compared to 97 within that distance of the existing line

6

Substations

Substations are needed to connect local demand and generation to the grid They serve two main purposes

mdash Changing the voltage of the electricity to levels suitable either for transmission of large quantities of electricity over long distances (higher voltages) or for the distribution of power to local homes and businesses (lower voltages)

mdash Providing the ability to switch electricity flow onto different circuits to allow maintenance and other works on the network

The Beauly-Denny replacement line involves six substations located as follows

mdash Beauly the existing substation will be extended to the west

mdash Fasnakyle the current substation will be redeveloped entirely within its existing footprint

mdash Fort Augustus the existing substation will be extended to the south

mdash Tummel Bridge a new substation will be constructed at the edge of the village

mdash Braco a new substation will be built at Feddal Hill west of the village (the existing substation at Braco will in time be removed)

mdash Denny a new substation will be built at a site near Dunipace where there is an existing electrical infrastructure site

The substations will consist of a fenced area containing electrical equipment including transformers switchgear and overhead line towers

8

Access

An important factor in any major engineering project is site access both for construction and maintenance

In building the replacement line we have to make sure that the workers plant and equipment can get to site safely and with minimum disruption to local traffic This means that we need to create many small and some larger access tracks from the public roads Prior to this we will need to organise some improvements to the local public roads

Most access tracks will be temporary Where possible we will use or upgrade existing paths and tracks however there will be occasions when we need to create new tracks We will ensure all necessary permissions are in place to do this work

The way the tracks are built will vary depending on their location existing land use and ground conditions but we will always try to make them as unobtrusive as possible using local materials if we can

During the construction phase we will work with local agencies to make sure that the necessary traffic management plans are in place and that as far as possible our work is scheduled to avoid busy periods

Access tracks will be constructed using local stone as much as possible minimising transport of materials

9

Environment

Environmental issues are one of the most important aspects of the Beauly-Denny Replacement Line Project

Detailed research has already been conducted to identify all environmental issues for each project working area Aspects considered at each site include

mdash Protected species

mdash Breeding birds

mdash Protected habitats

mdash Private water supplies

mdash Watercourses

mdash Archaeology

Information on each aspect is provided to each team working on site so that they can identify the environmental risks relevant to site activities and ensure that the correct protective measures are put in place The core of this information is a zoned map like that shown opposite which illustrates the environmental issues of particular importance at that working area Maps like these will be provided for every working location and incorporated into site-specific environmental management plans

A method statement for each activity on site informed by the zoned map and additional information will be produced for each activity on every site before the work begins

To support operational teams there are environmental advisers and field specialists who will guide construction teams on mitigation measures and will monitor environmental performance throughout the project

10

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Project Scope

The project to replace the existing 132kV Beauly-Denny transmission line with an upgraded 400kV line will involve a range of work being undertaken along the 220km route

Around 600 new towers will be erected on which higher-capacity 400kV electricity wires will be carried and six substations will be either built extended or upgraded

To achieve this improvements will be made to a number of public roads and some trees will be cut back or felled Once this is completed we will construct access tracks most of which will be temporary from the public roads to gain access to the tower locations

In addition to ensure safe working conditions for the construction of the new line some sections of existing lines will be either deviated or placed underground

Once the new line is commissioned the existing 132kV transmission line and associated towers will be dismantled removed and the ground reinstated

On the following pages we provide more detail on all of these aspects of the project

Safety and Access

Our top priority during this project is the safety of our workforce and members of the public Everyone working on the project will be trained to operate safely throughout all aspects of construction

Our safety precautions will require a limited number of road closures and we will work closely with the relevant authorities to keep local residents informed We will also work to maintain access to rights of way ensuring that any temporary access tracks that coincide with such routes are built so that walkers and other users can access them throughout the construction period

We aim to manage the project so that as far as possible it is lsquobusiness as usualrsquo for people living working and visiting areas along the length of the route

5

What will the towers look like

To ensure that the electricity is transmitted safely and efficiently the electricity towers needed to carry the replacement 400kV line are larger than those used for the existing 132kV line

There will be three main types of towers used in building the replacement line

mdash Line towers used for straight sections of the line

mdash Angle towers used where the line changes direction

mdash Terminal towers used where an overhead line terminates for example at substations

The towers will be of a similar steel lattice design to the existing 132kV towers

They will vary in size depending on the exact ground conditions and landscape at each site The tallest tower will be approximately 65 metres high the shortest will be around 42 metres The majority of towers will be less than 57 metres

Typical line tower Light angle tower Heavy angle tower

The route of the replacement line and the technical requirements of a higher voltage connection mean that the number of towers required to carry the line will reduce from 815 to around 600 Careful routeing means there will be just three properties within 100 metres of the line compared to 97 within that distance of the existing line

6

Substations

Substations are needed to connect local demand and generation to the grid They serve two main purposes

mdash Changing the voltage of the electricity to levels suitable either for transmission of large quantities of electricity over long distances (higher voltages) or for the distribution of power to local homes and businesses (lower voltages)

mdash Providing the ability to switch electricity flow onto different circuits to allow maintenance and other works on the network

The Beauly-Denny replacement line involves six substations located as follows

mdash Beauly the existing substation will be extended to the west

mdash Fasnakyle the current substation will be redeveloped entirely within its existing footprint

mdash Fort Augustus the existing substation will be extended to the south

mdash Tummel Bridge a new substation will be constructed at the edge of the village

mdash Braco a new substation will be built at Feddal Hill west of the village (the existing substation at Braco will in time be removed)

mdash Denny a new substation will be built at a site near Dunipace where there is an existing electrical infrastructure site

The substations will consist of a fenced area containing electrical equipment including transformers switchgear and overhead line towers

8

Access

An important factor in any major engineering project is site access both for construction and maintenance

In building the replacement line we have to make sure that the workers plant and equipment can get to site safely and with minimum disruption to local traffic This means that we need to create many small and some larger access tracks from the public roads Prior to this we will need to organise some improvements to the local public roads

Most access tracks will be temporary Where possible we will use or upgrade existing paths and tracks however there will be occasions when we need to create new tracks We will ensure all necessary permissions are in place to do this work

The way the tracks are built will vary depending on their location existing land use and ground conditions but we will always try to make them as unobtrusive as possible using local materials if we can

During the construction phase we will work with local agencies to make sure that the necessary traffic management plans are in place and that as far as possible our work is scheduled to avoid busy periods

Access tracks will be constructed using local stone as much as possible minimising transport of materials

9

Environment

Environmental issues are one of the most important aspects of the Beauly-Denny Replacement Line Project

Detailed research has already been conducted to identify all environmental issues for each project working area Aspects considered at each site include

mdash Protected species

mdash Breeding birds

mdash Protected habitats

mdash Private water supplies

mdash Watercourses

mdash Archaeology

Information on each aspect is provided to each team working on site so that they can identify the environmental risks relevant to site activities and ensure that the correct protective measures are put in place The core of this information is a zoned map like that shown opposite which illustrates the environmental issues of particular importance at that working area Maps like these will be provided for every working location and incorporated into site-specific environmental management plans

A method statement for each activity on site informed by the zoned map and additional information will be produced for each activity on every site before the work begins

To support operational teams there are environmental advisers and field specialists who will guide construction teams on mitigation measures and will monitor environmental performance throughout the project

10

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

What will the towers look like

To ensure that the electricity is transmitted safely and efficiently the electricity towers needed to carry the replacement 400kV line are larger than those used for the existing 132kV line

There will be three main types of towers used in building the replacement line

mdash Line towers used for straight sections of the line

mdash Angle towers used where the line changes direction

mdash Terminal towers used where an overhead line terminates for example at substations

The towers will be of a similar steel lattice design to the existing 132kV towers

They will vary in size depending on the exact ground conditions and landscape at each site The tallest tower will be approximately 65 metres high the shortest will be around 42 metres The majority of towers will be less than 57 metres

Typical line tower Light angle tower Heavy angle tower

The route of the replacement line and the technical requirements of a higher voltage connection mean that the number of towers required to carry the line will reduce from 815 to around 600 Careful routeing means there will be just three properties within 100 metres of the line compared to 97 within that distance of the existing line

6

Substations

Substations are needed to connect local demand and generation to the grid They serve two main purposes

mdash Changing the voltage of the electricity to levels suitable either for transmission of large quantities of electricity over long distances (higher voltages) or for the distribution of power to local homes and businesses (lower voltages)

mdash Providing the ability to switch electricity flow onto different circuits to allow maintenance and other works on the network

The Beauly-Denny replacement line involves six substations located as follows

mdash Beauly the existing substation will be extended to the west

mdash Fasnakyle the current substation will be redeveloped entirely within its existing footprint

mdash Fort Augustus the existing substation will be extended to the south

mdash Tummel Bridge a new substation will be constructed at the edge of the village

mdash Braco a new substation will be built at Feddal Hill west of the village (the existing substation at Braco will in time be removed)

mdash Denny a new substation will be built at a site near Dunipace where there is an existing electrical infrastructure site

The substations will consist of a fenced area containing electrical equipment including transformers switchgear and overhead line towers

8

Access

An important factor in any major engineering project is site access both for construction and maintenance

In building the replacement line we have to make sure that the workers plant and equipment can get to site safely and with minimum disruption to local traffic This means that we need to create many small and some larger access tracks from the public roads Prior to this we will need to organise some improvements to the local public roads

Most access tracks will be temporary Where possible we will use or upgrade existing paths and tracks however there will be occasions when we need to create new tracks We will ensure all necessary permissions are in place to do this work

The way the tracks are built will vary depending on their location existing land use and ground conditions but we will always try to make them as unobtrusive as possible using local materials if we can

During the construction phase we will work with local agencies to make sure that the necessary traffic management plans are in place and that as far as possible our work is scheduled to avoid busy periods

Access tracks will be constructed using local stone as much as possible minimising transport of materials

9

Environment

Environmental issues are one of the most important aspects of the Beauly-Denny Replacement Line Project

Detailed research has already been conducted to identify all environmental issues for each project working area Aspects considered at each site include

mdash Protected species

mdash Breeding birds

mdash Protected habitats

mdash Private water supplies

mdash Watercourses

mdash Archaeology

Information on each aspect is provided to each team working on site so that they can identify the environmental risks relevant to site activities and ensure that the correct protective measures are put in place The core of this information is a zoned map like that shown opposite which illustrates the environmental issues of particular importance at that working area Maps like these will be provided for every working location and incorporated into site-specific environmental management plans

A method statement for each activity on site informed by the zoned map and additional information will be produced for each activity on every site before the work begins

To support operational teams there are environmental advisers and field specialists who will guide construction teams on mitigation measures and will monitor environmental performance throughout the project

10

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Substations

Substations are needed to connect local demand and generation to the grid They serve two main purposes

mdash Changing the voltage of the electricity to levels suitable either for transmission of large quantities of electricity over long distances (higher voltages) or for the distribution of power to local homes and businesses (lower voltages)

mdash Providing the ability to switch electricity flow onto different circuits to allow maintenance and other works on the network

The Beauly-Denny replacement line involves six substations located as follows

mdash Beauly the existing substation will be extended to the west

mdash Fasnakyle the current substation will be redeveloped entirely within its existing footprint

mdash Fort Augustus the existing substation will be extended to the south

mdash Tummel Bridge a new substation will be constructed at the edge of the village

mdash Braco a new substation will be built at Feddal Hill west of the village (the existing substation at Braco will in time be removed)

mdash Denny a new substation will be built at a site near Dunipace where there is an existing electrical infrastructure site

The substations will consist of a fenced area containing electrical equipment including transformers switchgear and overhead line towers

8

Access

An important factor in any major engineering project is site access both for construction and maintenance

In building the replacement line we have to make sure that the workers plant and equipment can get to site safely and with minimum disruption to local traffic This means that we need to create many small and some larger access tracks from the public roads Prior to this we will need to organise some improvements to the local public roads

Most access tracks will be temporary Where possible we will use or upgrade existing paths and tracks however there will be occasions when we need to create new tracks We will ensure all necessary permissions are in place to do this work

The way the tracks are built will vary depending on their location existing land use and ground conditions but we will always try to make them as unobtrusive as possible using local materials if we can

During the construction phase we will work with local agencies to make sure that the necessary traffic management plans are in place and that as far as possible our work is scheduled to avoid busy periods

Access tracks will be constructed using local stone as much as possible minimising transport of materials

9

Environment

Environmental issues are one of the most important aspects of the Beauly-Denny Replacement Line Project

Detailed research has already been conducted to identify all environmental issues for each project working area Aspects considered at each site include

mdash Protected species

mdash Breeding birds

mdash Protected habitats

mdash Private water supplies

mdash Watercourses

mdash Archaeology

Information on each aspect is provided to each team working on site so that they can identify the environmental risks relevant to site activities and ensure that the correct protective measures are put in place The core of this information is a zoned map like that shown opposite which illustrates the environmental issues of particular importance at that working area Maps like these will be provided for every working location and incorporated into site-specific environmental management plans

A method statement for each activity on site informed by the zoned map and additional information will be produced for each activity on every site before the work begins

To support operational teams there are environmental advisers and field specialists who will guide construction teams on mitigation measures and will monitor environmental performance throughout the project

10

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Access

An important factor in any major engineering project is site access both for construction and maintenance

In building the replacement line we have to make sure that the workers plant and equipment can get to site safely and with minimum disruption to local traffic This means that we need to create many small and some larger access tracks from the public roads Prior to this we will need to organise some improvements to the local public roads

Most access tracks will be temporary Where possible we will use or upgrade existing paths and tracks however there will be occasions when we need to create new tracks We will ensure all necessary permissions are in place to do this work

The way the tracks are built will vary depending on their location existing land use and ground conditions but we will always try to make them as unobtrusive as possible using local materials if we can

During the construction phase we will work with local agencies to make sure that the necessary traffic management plans are in place and that as far as possible our work is scheduled to avoid busy periods

Access tracks will be constructed using local stone as much as possible minimising transport of materials

9

Environment

Environmental issues are one of the most important aspects of the Beauly-Denny Replacement Line Project

Detailed research has already been conducted to identify all environmental issues for each project working area Aspects considered at each site include

mdash Protected species

mdash Breeding birds

mdash Protected habitats

mdash Private water supplies

mdash Watercourses

mdash Archaeology

Information on each aspect is provided to each team working on site so that they can identify the environmental risks relevant to site activities and ensure that the correct protective measures are put in place The core of this information is a zoned map like that shown opposite which illustrates the environmental issues of particular importance at that working area Maps like these will be provided for every working location and incorporated into site-specific environmental management plans

A method statement for each activity on site informed by the zoned map and additional information will be produced for each activity on every site before the work begins

To support operational teams there are environmental advisers and field specialists who will guide construction teams on mitigation measures and will monitor environmental performance throughout the project

10

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Environment

Environmental issues are one of the most important aspects of the Beauly-Denny Replacement Line Project

Detailed research has already been conducted to identify all environmental issues for each project working area Aspects considered at each site include

mdash Protected species

mdash Breeding birds

mdash Protected habitats

mdash Private water supplies

mdash Watercourses

mdash Archaeology

Information on each aspect is provided to each team working on site so that they can identify the environmental risks relevant to site activities and ensure that the correct protective measures are put in place The core of this information is a zoned map like that shown opposite which illustrates the environmental issues of particular importance at that working area Maps like these will be provided for every working location and incorporated into site-specific environmental management plans

A method statement for each activity on site informed by the zoned map and additional information will be produced for each activity on every site before the work begins

To support operational teams there are environmental advisers and field specialists who will guide construction teams on mitigation measures and will monitor environmental performance throughout the project

10

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Tower installation

Once we have created access for the construction teams we will start to install the foundations for each tower

We will excavate a hole for each leg of the tower typically these will be about 16m2 with a depth of around four metres for line towers and up to around 25m2 and five metres deep for angle towers In some cases we may need to break up some rock to achieve this

The next stage is to pour the concrete bases Once complete we will cover over the foundations using the original material where we can

The bases created we will then carefully deliver to site the steelwork for the tower The lower parts of the towers will be erected from ground level with the upper sections being moved into place by mobile cranes

In particularly environmentally sensitive or remote areas we will use helicopters to fly in special erection derricks to install the upper parts of the towers Helicopters may also be used to fly in materials where access is difficult

The working area at each line tower will be around 1000m2 up to 2500m2 for angle towers and 6000m2 for winch sites which will be used for pulling the conductors into place between the towers

12

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Stringing

When all the towers in a particular section have been erected we will begin to put the electricity wires in place This is called lsquostringingrsquo

The first stage is for a helicopter to carry a length of lighter weight lsquopilotrsquo wire along the length of the section to be strung typically a dozen or so towers at a time The pilot line will be laid securely onto each tower as the helicopter moves along so that the pilot wire does not touch the ground It will then be connected to a winch at the end of the section

Once the pilot wire is in place it will be attached to the electricity wire (the conductor) and the winch will be used to pull the conductor along the section of towers again without it touching the ground The conductor will then be secured in place

This method of stringing protects the ground from damage and also ensures the conductor itself is not damaged by the ground

Where conductors are to be strung over roads railways or other smaller power lines netted scaffolding will be erected to make sure this can be done safely and with minimum disruption

14

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Replacement line route

Replacing the Beauly to Denny line is a complex project To help us communicate as well as possible with people interested in its progress and to manage the replacement work effectively we have divided the project into four sections

Beauly to Fort Augustus This 50km section follows a predominantly upland route over areas of remote and unpopulated moorland forested in sections Several river valleys are crossed This part of the project includes the substations at Beauly Fasnakyle and Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus to Tummel Bridge This 77km section crosses the Grampian Mountains over areas of remote upland moorland and coniferous forests and some river valleys From Dalwhinnie to Dalnacardoch the route will closely follow the A9 trunk road This part of the project includes the substation near Tummel Bridge

Tummel Bridge to Braco This 63km section crosses upland areas comprising moorland some river valleys and the low lying landscape east of Crieff and Muthill and onwards across moorland and through forestry to the new Braco substation

Braco to Denny This 30km section crosses the Allan Water and A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny

The consent we have been granted to build the line includes lsquolimits of deviationrsquo which allow us to take the precise ground conditions at each work location into account when deciding exactly where to locate each tower The limit of deviation is usually 50 metres either side of the work location in particularly sensitive locations this will be less

An overview of the entire route is shown opposite with more detailed maps showing the route for each section on the following four pages

16

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22

Dismantling and reinstatement

Once all the sections of towers have been strung and the line has been connected up to the grid and is operational the existing 132kV line will be dismantled and removed

In taking down the old line we will make use as far as possible of the access tracks used for the construction of the new line

To dismantle the old line we will first remove the electricity wires using a winch and then take the towers down The metal and other components will be taken away for recycling

We will then remove the old foundations to below ground level and cover them over with earth and as much as we can put the area back to its original condition We will do this by removing all surplus material and either planting native species or creating conditions which will encourage natural regeneration

We will also remove certain sections of existing 132kV overhead transmission line These are around Beauly in the Cairngorm National Park and in Perthshire Some of these will be replaced by underground cables More details of this work are available at wwwssecom

Maintenance Once the work is complete certain access tracks the ground around which will be reinstated will be retained to allow future access Maintenance inspections will be carried out on average every two years with additional visits if needed

22