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Power line upgrade given go-ahead Power line upgrade given go-ahead
(40 minutes later)
Controversial plans for a line of new pylons from the Highlands to central Scotland have been approved. Controversial plans for a line of giant pylons from the Highlands to central Scotland have been approved by the Scottish government.
The 42m to 65m towers will link renewable energy developments to the national grid. Ministers said the Beauly-Denny upgrade would unlock Scotland's renewable energy potential and bring a vital boost to the electricity grid.
Campaigners against the project had suggested the cables could be carried undersea or underground. The development, which attracted more than 18,000 objections, will have to meet strict planning conditions.
But the Scottish government decided the line from Beauly, west of Inverness, to Denny, near Falkirk, was needed to tackle climate change. Campaigners against the plan had called for underground or sub-sea cables.
Duncan McLaren, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said approval for the project was long overdue. Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather said the line, from Beauly, west of Inverness, to Denny, near Falkirk, was the most significant grid infrastructure project in a generation.
James CookBBC News Scotland Correspondent Scotland is looking to the skies and the seas to keep the lights on.James CookBBC News Scotland Correspondent Scotland is looking to the skies and the seas to keep the lights on.
But the best sites for green power are often remote so getting the electricity to homes and factories is tricky.But the best sites for green power are often remote so getting the electricity to homes and factories is tricky.
The controversial answer is a giant power line slicing through a landscape which was carved out over millennia.The controversial answer is a giant power line slicing through a landscape which was carved out over millennia.
Sometimes the planning process has felt glacial too but the decision has been taken at last.Sometimes the planning process has felt glacial too but the decision has been taken at last.
Opponents say the line will scar some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery.Opponents say the line will scar some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery.
Supporters argue it's the price that has to be paid for going green.Supporters argue it's the price that has to be paid for going green.
He described the line as "one of the key links to release Scotland's renewables potential". He told parliament: "Scotland's electricity network needs significant reinforcement to allow our vast renewables potential to be harnessed, transmitted and exported.
Mr McLaren said the potential damage to landscapes and communities from climate change in Scotland was much greater than any damage caused by the new line. "Currently, we simply do not have the transmission capacity to carry the green energy which Scotland will generate over the coming years."
The minister said the new line, which could cost up to £400m, would have to comply with a "detailed and comprehensive range of conditions".
These included the use of liaison groups and other experts to protect residents, the environment and the tourism and culture sectors from the impact of the development.
The upgraded, 137-mile line would see a network of 600 pylons, some more than 200ft in height, connect renewable power projects to the national grid.
The existing line, which has more than 800 pylons, will be dismantled.
Duncan McLaren, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, welcomed the decision, saying the potential environmental damage from climate change was much greater than any caused by the new line.
The decision to replace the existing 132,000 volts (132kV) line with cables carrying 400kV was taken after an 11-month long public inquiry which ended in December 2007.The decision to replace the existing 132,000 volts (132kV) line with cables carrying 400kV was taken after an 11-month long public inquiry which ended in December 2007.
There were more than 18,000 objections to the planned 137-mile route, which passes through the Cairngorms National Park. The John Muir Trust, Scotland before Pylons and Ramblers Scotland were among the groups which campaigned against the line, which passes through the Cairngorms National Park.
The John Muir Trust, Scotland before Pylons and Ramblers Scotland were among the groups which campaigned against the line.
Ramblers Scotland president Dennis Canavan described it as "an act of sheer vandalism".
He said the project would "destroy some of the most scenic countryside in Scotland".
The cost of constructing the transmission line and substations and dismantling the existing line has been estimated at up to £400m.
TOWERS FACT FILE SSE said the upgrade to 400kV was needed to allow for competition in generating electricityHundreds of new taller pylons, known as towers in the energy industry, are plannedThe height of the new towers will be 42m-65m (close to 200ft). Those on the existing line range from 25-41m. The extra height is required for safety reasonsThe tallest towers in Scotland are close to the River Forth and rise to more than 130m (400ft)Substations - six will be required for the new line - lower the voltage of electricity generated by power plants such as hydro schemes to levels safe for onward distributionTOWERS FACT FILE SSE said the upgrade to 400kV was needed to allow for competition in generating electricityHundreds of new taller pylons, known as towers in the energy industry, are plannedThe height of the new towers will be 42m-65m (close to 200ft). Those on the existing line range from 25-41m. The extra height is required for safety reasonsThe tallest towers in Scotland are close to the River Forth and rise to more than 130m (400ft)Substations - six will be required for the new line - lower the voltage of electricity generated by power plants such as hydro schemes to levels safe for onward distribution
Ramblers Scotland president Dennis Canavan described it as "an act of sheer vandalism", saying the project would "destroy some of the most scenic countryside in Scotland".
Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats said an announcement on the project was long overdue.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is behind the project through its licensed transmission company, Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL). SP Transmission Ltd (SPT) is also involved.Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is behind the project through its licensed transmission company, Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL). SP Transmission Ltd (SPT) is also involved.
They plan to expand the existing substation at Beauly, which currently handles power from hydro-electric schemes, and link it to a new cable carrying electricity from wind farms on the Western Isles.They plan to expand the existing substation at Beauly, which currently handles power from hydro-electric schemes, and link it to a new cable carrying electricity from wind farms on the Western Isles.
At the other end of the line a substation will be built on a new site at Denny where a number of transmission lines intersect.At the other end of the line a substation will be built on a new site at Denny where a number of transmission lines intersect.
The Scottish government wants 50% of Scotland's electricity needs to be met by renewable sources by 2020.The Scottish government wants 50% of Scotland's electricity needs to be met by renewable sources by 2020.
In 2007, the latest year for which figures are available, the figure was 20.1%.In 2007, the latest year for which figures are available, the figure was 20.1%.