Electricity Transmission and Distribution

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Who we are

We are here today representing Scottish Hydro Electric

Transmission Plc (SHE Transmission), which is part of the

SSE group.

SSE is a British company, headquartered in Scotland and

through its electricity networks business Scottish and

Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) it owns and

maintains two electricity networks in the north of Scotland: the

electricity transmission network - owned by SHE

Transmission; and the electricity distribution network - owned

by Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD).

Our responsibilities Electricity Transmission is the

transportation of electricity from

generating plants to where it is required

at centres of demand.

The electricity transmission network, or

grid, transports electricity at very high

voltages through overhead wires and

underground cables. The transmission

ne twork connec ts la rge sca le

generation, primarily renewables, to

central and southern Scotland and the

rest of Great Britain.

The Electricity Distribution network is

connected into the Transmission

network but the voltage is lowered by

transformers at electricity substations,

and the power is then distributed to

homes and businesses through

overhead lines or underground cables.

SCOTTISH HYDRO ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION PLC

As we are the only company that owns an electricity

transmission network in the north of Scotland we are closely

regulated by the energy regulator Ofgem. We are issued with

a licence to operate and we must adhere to the terms of the

licence. For this reason we are operated on a very separate

basis to other SSE businesses.

Our licence stipulates that we must develop and maintain an

efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity

transmission.

We are also responsible for maintaining and investing in the

transmission network in the north of Scotland, an area which

covers roughly 70% of the land mass of Scotland.

Our investment programme

There is significant demand to connect to our transmission

network from generators of renewables in the north of

Scotland, driven by binding climate change targets as set

down by government designed to help decarbonise the

generation of electricity.

We have a huge programme of investment across our

network to meet the requirements of those wishing to

connect.

Our investment programme has already started and will be

ongoing until 2021. This involves an investment in the

network of around £1.5 billion, but potentially up to a further

£4 billion.

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KINTYRE TO HUNTERSTON CONNECTION

The need for this reinforcement is driven by the growth of

renewable generation in Kintyre and the growing stress on

the existing transmission network in the area. We have

already connected or contracted 454MW of generation and

for see around 170MW of potential additional connection

applications on the near horizon (figures from February

2013).

The existing transmission infrastructure on Kintyre was

designed and built to supply a rural area with low demand

for electricity. Due to the increase in requests for

connections onto the electricity network in the north of

Scotland, Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission is

required to reinforce the transmission system serving the

Kintyre Peninsula to accommodate future output, including

that from renewable generation projects.

The project to reinforce the transmission system in Kintyre

is driven, primarily, by the need to relieve the growing

pressure on the local network and to support the growth of

renewable generation in the region.

Project Need

What happens next?

If you would like to discuss the components of the project in more detail, or have a question which you would like further clarification on, please do not hesitate to contact:

Neil Anderson Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc, Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 3AQ Email: neil.1.anderson@sse.com

The project website contains the project information and further documentation - www.sse.com/KintyreHunterston

Why are we proposing to build the Kintyre to Hunterston Link?

Consultation to date

The purpose of this public information event is to discuss the Kintyre to Hunterston Connection project and to answer any concerns you may have. The following boards set out the background and history of the

Kintyre to Hunterston Connection project and some detail into

the three main components. They also provide information on

transport issues and road usage by construction traffic.

1. To comply with national standards

2. To avoid expensive constraints

3. To allow renewable energy to connect

4. To reduce the cost of system operation and

improve reliability of electricity supply to customers

5. To meet stakeholders’ expectations for the

development of Kintyre

Following a lengthy consultation period SHE Transmission

have received consent to build a new 220/132kV substation

in Crossaig forest; replace the existing 132,000 Volt (132kV)

overhead line between Carradale and Crossaig with a

higher capacity double circuit overhead line and install two

subsea cable circuits from this new substation round the

north coast of Arran to Hunterston.

This information event

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The proposed development forms an integral part of upgrading the transmission infrastructure in this area, a project referred to as the Kintyre to Hunterston Connection. This project will reinforce the 132kV transmission network on Kintyre by providing a new 132kV connection between Carradale Substation and the new Crossaig Substation. The Kintyre to Hunterston Connection project has been split into 3 main components:

A replacement overhead line from the existing Carradale substation 14.4km north to the new Crossaig substation. An

underground cable connection and associated access track will lead from the new Crossaig Substation to Port a’ Mhiadair

beach where it will connect to a subsea cable via a joint bay. The subsea cable will go from Port a’ Mhiadair across the

Kilbrannan Sound and Firth of Clyde (north of Arran) to Ardneil Bay in North Ayrshire. Here, a connection by underground cable to Hunterston Substation will complete the connection and the upgrade requirements. Each component is headed up by a separate Project Manager; however the interfaces between each during the construction of the project is critical to it’s success and efficiency.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Background to the Scheme

The figures above provide an overview of the Kintyre to Hunterston Connection Project and the Transmission network in Scotland.

During the development phase of this project, SHE Transmission assessed a number of different technical solutions and route options. This assessment included micro-siting, pre-construction scoping, environmental and marine analysis. Substantial public consultation was also undertaken during that period. Construction works at Crossaig substation site began in August 2013; The overhead line works are to commence in March 2014; and although marine surveys and site investigations are underway in association with the subsea cable, installation will not commence until 2015. The project is largely located in SHE Transmission’s licensed area however 3.5km of land cable and associated substation works are located within Scottish Power Transmission’s licensed area at Hunterston. Scottish Power Transmission will be completing the required works in their licensed area.

Kintyre to Hunterston Connection Overview

Transmission Network in Scotland

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Substations change the voltage of electricity to levels suitable either for transmission over long distances or for distribution to local communities. Substations provide the electricity flow onto different circuits to allow maintenance and other works on the network and also to regulate the distribution of power. They are fenced compounds that typically include: transformers; switchgear; support structures; a control building and overhead line towers. Factors that led to the site at Crossaig being favourable include:

Relatively flat site topography; The site is located away from residential properties between Cour Bay and Lower Crossaig; The site is located away from significant surface water features; The site does not impact groundwater and private water supplies; The site is visually screened by topography and existing coniferous forestry plantation; Baseline ecological studies did not identify any protected species on site or in the immediate vicinity of the site; Baseline archaeology studies did not identify any sensitive archaeological features on site or in the immediate vicinity of the site; and The site is close to the existing 132kV overhead line therefore avoiding an increase in new overhead line infrastructure.

THE THREE COMPONENTS

Crossaig 220kV / 132kV Substation

Key Dates

Civil Construction Works August 2013—October 2014

Electrical Construction Works September 2014—June 2015

Main Equipment Delivery September 2014—March 2015

Big loads across Haul Road October 2014—January 2015

Commissioning June 2015—October 2015

Energisation

(Connect directly to SPEN system)

October 2015

Planning Permission under Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) for Crossaig Substation was obtained in September 2013 from Argyll and Bute Council. Recent changes in the substation design have allowed for the substation area to be much smaller in size than when consultation first began, decreasing from approximately 3.5 hectares to just under 2 hectares. The reason for this is due to the substation design going from Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) to Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS). Pros of a GIS solution include:

Security of connection; Reduced footprint and visual impact; Reduced programme length; and Reduced traffic impacts.

The successful contractors involved in the construction of the substation is a joint venture between Siemens + BAM Nuttall.

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THE THREE COMPONENTS

Carradale to Crossaig 132kV Replacement Overhead Line

The existing 132kV overhead line will be replaced from Carradale substation to the new Crossaig substation with a higher capacity double circuit overhead line. The reason for this replacement in infrastructure is to allow the transmission network to provide a more secure electricity supply to the area and it will provide additional capacity for generators who have applied to connect to the grid. Planning permission for the overhead line was obtained in May 2012, under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 from the Scottish Ministers. Amec are the successful contractors for the construction of the replacement overhead line.

Key Dates

Public Road Improvements February 2014—May 2014

Access Track Construction March 2014—September 2014

Overhead Line:

October 2015

Foundation Works April 2014—January 2015

Tower Construction May 2014—March 2015

Stringing of the Overhead Line September 2014—March 2015

Commissioning

Dismantling Old Overhead Line January 2016—April 2016

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THE THREE COMPONENTS

Subsea Cable

The subsea cable link will connect the new substation at Crossaig on Kintyre and Hunterston power Station in Ayrshire. This

link will consist of two circuits of 220 kV High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) subsea cable, each approximately 41 km

in length; and 225mm to 250mm in diameter, between Port a’ Mhiadair and Ardneil Bay. The associated underground cable

route which leads from the new Crossaig substation to a connection with the subsea cable at Port a’ Mhiadair is considered

to be permitted development under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order

1992.

A full geo-physical and geo-technical survey was completed in parallel with marine environmental surveys in the summer of

2009. The survey results allowed for the final selection of the proposed route which sought to maximise the potential for

burial of the subsea cables.

SHE Transmission have a Fisheries Liaison Officer on board to assist in the consultation with both Marine Scotland and

fisheries associations in the area that may be affected in the short term by the installation of the subsea cable.

A Marine License for the marine cable installation works was obtained from the Scottish Government in March 2012.

Nexans are the successful cable contractors for the subsea cable manufacture and installation on the project.

Site Investigation Works—Hunterston February 2014—March 2014

Land Works—Hunterston September 2014—July 2015

Land Works—Kintyre July 2014—July 2015

Subsea Works Commencing March 2015

Subsea Cable Installation May 2015—September 2015

October 2015 Commissioning

Key Dates