Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather MSP, today made the long awaited announcement on whether the Beauly Denny power line should be upgraded. In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Mr. Mather granted consent to the controversial plans for the re-development and enhancement on an existing line that will now span 137 miles of giant pylons, stretching from central Scotland to the Highlands, to be constructed to help unlock Scotland’s onshore and offshore renewable energy potential.
The announcement has seen a positive reaction from the other political parties who have been vocal in the support of the project and at times critical of the SNP Government over the time taken to reach today’s decision. However, today’s decision will be a blow to certain environmental organisations and other groups who opposed the project. It is reported that the SNP Government received over 18,000 objections centred on the damage it would do to the natural environment, Scotland’s beauty spots and lack of detail provided into potential alternatives.
Ofgem has estimated that the project will cost £330million to implement and will see between 250 and 300 people employed. The project will see 600 pylons, one quarter less than currently located, measuring anything up to 200ft in height constructed in an effort to connect Scotland’s vast renewable potential to the national grid. Mr. Mather outlined in his announcement that he expects the project to be completed within 10 years, work started within 4 and that electrical transmission should be available within 6 years.
Mr. Mather’s decision included a number of conditions to the lines implementation such as;
– Five ‘wirescape rationalisation’ schemes to significantly improve the landscape at particularly sensitive locations, which includes removing or improving 86 km of existing ancillary power lines, pylons and poles
– Three Visual impact mitigation schemes to further protect and reduce the impact of the line
– An environmental liaison group to provide advice on mitigation, restoration and habitat management
– An independent environmental contractor to enforce compliance with a Construction Policy Handbook, a legal document agreed with Ministers on how the development is to be sensitively constructed and managed
This decision will undoubtedly help the Scottish Government work towards its ambitious climate change targets outlined in the Climate Change Act in the long term, and alleviate short term pressures on their perceived lack of direct action on climate related matters by opposition parties.
By Luke
The Garden Lobby 