Embedded Files
Below are links to the external sites for the various projects:
The Substation
Fanellan 400kV substation plus Converter (for the Western Isles Connection (see link below)
Planning Application ref. 25/00826/FUL
Updated: 9th February 2026
SPAC Determination Hearing 5th February 2026 - REFUSED
Webcast of Meeting - Agenda Item 6.1
SSEN have confirmed in the local press that they are considering their "options".
Black bridge replacement
Replacement of the road bridge on the C1106 over the River Beauly as required by "Phase 2" of the Fanellan Substation application (to allow transport of the heavier loads and avoid the route through Kiltarlity used during "Phase 1").
This does not form part of the details of the Fanellan Substation application above and will be a separate planning application - timetabled for June 2026.
The PAN was circulated in late November 2025 and can now be found on the Highland Council Planning Portal.
The First Public Consultation was in December 2025. The Second is scheduled (according to the PAN Application) for 4th March 2026 (Phipps Hall, Beauly (AM) and Kiltarlity Village Hall (PM)).
BEAULY-DENNY OHL DIVERSION
As part of of the Substation the current Beauly-Denny 400kV line is being moved - SSEN have made a Section 37 Application to the ECU can be seen below
Scottish Government Energy Consents - ECU Reference ECU00005056
Update: 23rd September 2025 - Highland Council (as consultee) have objected to this applications - the "Decision Notice" is available here.
Spittal Overhead Line
New OHL connection from the north of Fanellan over the river Beauly
Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV Connection
Scoping and Full Section 37 Application - Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit - ref. ECU00006008
[Documents are published on ECU site - sort documents by "Publication Date" to see latest submission BUT it is easier to download/review documents from SSEN's own page or via Highland Council Planning portal.]
UPDATE: 30th October 2025 - Highland Council have submitted an Objection to the application - the "Response to ECU" is available here
Peterhead Overhead Line
New OHL connection from the East of Fanellan
Beauly to Blackhillock to New Deer to Peterhead 400kV OHL
Scoping Application - Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit - ref. ECU00005165
[Documents are published on ECU site - sort documents by "Publication Date" to see latest submission BUT it is easier to download/review documents from SSEN's own page or via Highland Council Planning portal.]
18th December 2025 - Highland Council (as consultee) have objected to this applications - the "Decision Notice" is available here.
Update 6th March 2026 - SSEN appeal has been received and documents published by the Scottish Government DPEA (Planning and Environmental Appeals Division) on 5th March - see link below.
In addition to the above three major infrastructure works, the current Beauly-Denny 400kv OHL is being diverted north of the new Substation platform and a new underground DC line is being added from the West Isles (see below):
Western Isles Connection
The Western Isles Connection starts at the Lewis Hub (at Arnish Moor) and will connect to 50 miles of subsea cable to Dundonnell on the mainland which will then go underground for a further 50 miles to Balblair and underground again to the Fanellan site in the new Converter shed:
The cable routing plans from Dundonnell to Fanellan (as at public events in June 2025) can be seen in the consultation booklet and can be downloaded from SSEN here - page 4 of the PDF shows the route map section for Beauly to the new Fanellan Substation.
The lastest information on the SSEN site is about "Lewis Hub" at Arnish Moor which is subject to planning at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar:
Other third party planning applications within the Fanellan site include:
Change of Use of Lower Fanellan and Fanellan Cottage - REFUSED (14th October 2025)
- from 2 tenanted cottages to offices - 25/00573/FUL - Planning Portal - Appeal to DPEA ref PPA-270-2320
(Note: The applicants appealed to the DPEA (link above) - the reporter has determined that no site visit is necessary - target for decision 7th April 2026.)
Change of Use of Fanellan Farmhouse - REFUSED (14th October 2025)
- from 1 tenanted house to offices - 25/00426/FUL - Planning Portal - Appeal to DPEA ref PPA-270-2319
(Note: The applicants appealed to the DPEA (link above) - the reporter has determined that no site visit is necessary - target for decision 7th April 2026.)
Other third party planning applications associated with the OHL or HVDC cable elements/connections:
4 Temporary Access Bellmouths for HVDC cable route works - C1106 Access Formation Near Black Bridge - AP2, C1104 Access Formation Near Ruisaurie - AP6 & AP7, A831 Access Formation Near Beauly Substation - AP3 - proposed works September 2025 to September 2026 - 25/03127/FUL - Planning Portal
It should be noted that other local SSEN substation developments outside the Fanellan site at:
Kilmorack,
Aigas; and
Strathfarrar (Culligran)
are going through planning and all three state that they will be using the same part of the road network to move their staff and construction traffic (including HGVs and Abnormal Loads/AIL in similar time periods to the Fanellan works.
Follow the link below to find documents on these projects:
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