by EWAN LAMB
A crucial infrastructure project involving the development of a 30 kilometre overhead power line linking electricity sub-stations in Galashiels and the village of Eccles in Berwickshire is scheduled for 2026, and will allow two 'vintage' sets of pylons and cables to be decommissioned and removed from the landscape.
Scottish Power Energy Networks [SPEN] is currently designing the scheme before submitting a so-called Section 37 application to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit [ECU] towards the end of this year.
The proposed new overhead line will be supported on lattice steel towers, which have six cross-arms and a standard design height of 27 metres. The tower heights will range from approximately 23 metres to 38 metres in height, depending on ground profiles. By comparison, the steel towers of the existing ‘U’ route measure between 18 and 30 metres, and the existing ‘AT’ route wood pole and steel towers are between 10 and 29 metres high.
As we reported last month, the Borders is also set to get 90 miles of so-called super pylons and transmission lines each measuring 36 metres in height as part of the National Grid's investment programme Beyond 2030. That transmission upgrade is costed at £1.5 billion.
SPEN says that as the electricity transmission and distribution license holder for central and southern Scotland, it has a legal duty to develop and maintain a technically feasible and economically viable transmission and distribution system.
"To ensure sufficient capacity for electricity that needs to be transmitted throughout the area, SPEN’s proposal is to remove the existing overhead lines between Galashiels and Eccles and replace them with one new route between the two substations. This upgrade is expected to ensure a more reliable and economical transmission network. Furthermore, as the existing lines get older, the need for maintenance work becomes more critical and difficult, and the exposure to unplanned outages (faults) increases. Asset replacement is therefore essential to provide secure supplies to existing and future customers."
The power company considers their scheme has the potential to have significant environmental effects, and so an EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] is being undertaken to support the Section 37 application. "The EIA process will seek to avoid, reduce and where possible, offset likely significant impacts on the environment through an iterative design process for the proposed new overhead line".
When asked how much investment their scheme would require, SPEN told us that project costs were 'sensitive'.
We also asked whether there would be public consultation prior to work starting.
"Public consultation was undertaken as part of the routeing stage for this project in late 2021", explained a spokesperson. "The feedback to consultation informed the selection of the proposed route to then be taken forward for further assessment and application for consent. The consultation included engagement with the range of statutory consultees (Scottish Borders Council, NatureScot, Historic Environment Scotland, SEPA, local Community Councils) amongst others, as well as the wider public.
"A final public event stage will be scheduled ahead of submission of the Section 37 application and will provide feedback on those comments provided previously regarding the proposed development. The date for this has not been confirmed but it will be publicised locally ahead of that time. Following the submission of the application, the ECU will also carry out consultation on the proposed development."
During the early stages of the planning process officers at Scottish Borders Council expressed concerns over one aspect of the project - the proposed installation of an underground cable in close proximity to the now closed landfill site at Easter Langlee on the outskirts of Galashiels.
When asked for observations, the authority's Contaminated Land Officer wrote: “I had understood it was for replacement of overhead lines however it’s been highlighted to me that it includes for the laying of underground cable within the body of the former landfill to its western extent.
"The presence of the waste mass should specifically be considered as part of the development, and it’s unclear if this is considered to date. This might include potential risks to the waste mass i.e. through ignition, or to any structure e.g. cabinets (if present) through the migration and accumulation of bulk gases. There may also be wider waste management considerations”.
And those concerns were echoed by SBC's Waste Strategy Officer who warned: “Having reviewed the proposal we have concerns regarding the impact the installation of underground cabling could have on our site.
"The location plan suggests the cabling would come on to the site in an area that has landfill gas infrastructure installed over and within it, and is in very close proximity to two areas of landfill. Relocation of this infrastructure may not be easily achieved, and the integrity of the landfill sites must not be compromised. This could be challenging given the layout of the land, location of the landfills and infrastructure, and the scale of the trench."
The statement added that landfill gases would be present for which all relevant safety measures must be considered.
"Consideration of all of these issues and whether it is possible for them to be mitigated to our reasonable satisfaction need to be carefully considered prior to any underground cabling proposal being implemented."
When asked about this particular issue, the SPEN spokesperson commented: "“Following consultation, we have received a range of feedback, including that from Scottish Borders Council regarding the potential routeing across the Easter Langlee site.
"The project team are actively looking at design detail options to address concerns regarding potential impacts in this area and to provide the best proposed solution while balancing all considerations. The proposed solution will be reflected in a final public event stage to be scheduled ahead of submission of the Section 37 application.”
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