The Proposal
Much of the electricity transmission network in Scotland is between 50 and 100 years old. It has grown and evolved to meet industrial needs and serve the expanding population, but the network in central Scotland will soon be at full capacity – unable to accommodate all the clean, green renewable energy we will all need in future.
View the site plan.
We need to increase the voltage of the overhead lines in this area from 275kV to 400kV so we can get more energy from where it’s produced to where it’s needed.
Connecting the existing overhead lines to a new Kincardine North 400kV substation south-west of Kilbagie (close to where the existing lines cross each other) will allow us to increase their voltage and strengthen the network for the future, with only minimal changes to the lines themselves.
Once operational, this will also allow us to decommission the old Longannet 275kV substation, which is at the end of its operational life and cannot be upgraded.
The proposed new substation at Kincardine North will have a key role in enabling Scotland and the UK to meet Net Zero emissions targets while ensuring that power flows efficiently through the system in central Scotland.
What does the project involve?
The proposed Kincardine North substation will include:
- A new 400kV SF6-free Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation building, which will house electrical switchgear, plant and ancillary equipment (89m x 33m), and a smaller distribution substation building and back up generator;
- Two 400/275kV Transformers, two shunt reactors and two containerised Automatic Voltage Regulators;
- SF6-free Gas Insulated Busbar (GIS) routed across the site to connect the switchgear to each circuit;
- A new permanent access route to the substation from Hawkhill Road, a separate access route from the A876 for transformer deliveries (to be reinstated after construction), plus internal access roads and parking;
- A new 3m high steel palisade fence and internal fencing around the live compound to ensure safety and security.
- Changes to the overhead lines in the vicinity of the proposed new substation.
A new underground cable connection to the existing Kincardine 275kV substation will also be required, but this will be subject to a separate planning process and no longer forms part of this consultation.
Our Updated Plans
Since our previous consultation in June, we have refined our plans to take into account feedback received and further technical assessments. The plan below shows where the proposed new substation within the site along with proposed landscaping and tree-planting to help screen the development, plus drainage and access arrangements. The plan also shows the location of the new battery storage site in relation to our proposals.
Indicative Landscaping Plan
Proposed substation location
Our preferred site for the proposed new substation is on land about 700 metres north of Hawkhill Farm, just to the south-west of where the existing overhead lines across each other near Kilbagie (where the existing overhead lines cross each other).
We selected this site because the overhead lines are already there, and it allows us to reconfigure them and uprate the voltage from one location, minimising the need to build new overhead lines.
We worked with environmental consultants to appraise this site against other potential locations for the new substation, considering factors including landscape, proximity to residents, land use, forestry, biodiversity, peatland, flood risk, archaeology and technical difficulty.
Find more information about the site selection in our Kincardine North 400kV Substation Site Selection document.
Overhead Line Changes
We will need to ‘turn in’ the existing XL, ZC(N) and ZC(S) overhead lines to the proposed new substation so that they can be uprated from 275kV to 400kV. To connect them to the new substation, we will need to erect 12 new towers (pylons) and divert the lines in to the site. This will allow us to remove three existing pylons and some of the overhead wires that currently cross the site.
There will also be a slight reconfiguration of the existing overhead lines at the proposed new substation, joining one side of the ZC(S) Route and one side of the XL Route to provide a 275kV overhead line between Kincardine 275kV Substation and Easterhouse 275kV Substation.
Increasing the voltage of existing overhead lines from 275kV to 400kV will involve changing the insulators and conductors (wires) on the existing towers (pylons). To facilitate these works we will need to install temporary access routes (trackway or stone roads) and potential foundation upgrades at specific towers. We are carrying out further surveys to establish where this work will be required.
We will also need to connect the proposed new Kincardine North substation to the existing Kincardine 275kV substation by installing underground cables between then, but this will be subjected to a separate planning process in due course and no longer forms part of this consultation.
The plan below shows how the existing overhead lines will change.
View in PDF
Project Documents
For our second round of consultation, we have produced the following supporting documents:
- Newspaper notices – Copies of newspaper notices placed to advertise our first round of consultation.
For our first round of consultation, we have produced a number of supporting documents.
FAQs
Who are SP Energy Networks?
SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower Group. We are responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity in central and southern Scotland, and, through SP Manweb, the distribution network in North Wales and part of North West England. Our role is to maintain, operate and invest in our network to secure a safe, reliable, and economic service for current and future consumers.
What statutory obligations does SP Energy Networks have?
Our statutory obligations are set out in the Electricity Act 1989 and in our transmission licence. We must develop and maintain an efficient, coordinated and economical transmission system in accordance with security and quality of supply standards. We must offer to connect new power generators to the system and, make sure any work we do keeps disturbance to the natural and built environment and the people who live in it, work in it or enjoy it to a minimum.
Who regulates SP Energy Networks?
We are regulated by Ofgem (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets), and independent national regulatory body. Further information about Ofgem is available on:
Why is the Kincardine North substation needed?
Much of the electricity transmission network in Scotland is between 50 and 100 years old. It has grown and evolved to meet industrial needs and serve the expanding population, but the network in central Scotland will soon be at full capacity – unable to accommodate all the clean, green renewable energy we will all need in future.
We need to increase the voltage of the overhead lines in this area from 275kV to 400kV so we can get more energy from where it’s produced to where it’s needed.
Connecting the existing overhead lines to a new Kincardine North 400kV substation south-west of Kilbagie (close to where the existing lines cross each other) will allow us to increase their voltage and strengthen the network for the future, with only minimal changes to the lines themselves.
Once operational, this will also allow us to decommission the old Longannet 275kV substation, which is at the end of its operational life and cannot be upgraded.
The proposed new substation at Kincardine North will have a key role in enabling Scotland and the UK to meet Net Zero emissions targets while ensuring that power flows efficiently through the system in central Scotland. It will also strengthen the regional power network so it can cope with any unexpected faults in future.
What exactly are you proposing?
The Kincardine North substation project will involve a range of new infrastructure including:
- A new 400kV SF6-free Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation building, which will house electrical switchgear, plan and ancillary equipment (89m x 33m), and a smaller distribution substation building and back up generator;
- Two 400/275kV Transformers, two shunt reactors and two containerised Automatic Voltage Regulators;
- SF6-free Gas Insulated Busbar (GIS) routed across the site to connect the switchgear to each circuit;
- A new permanent access route to the substation Hawkhill Road, a separate temporary access route from the A876 for transformer deliveries and construction vehicles, plus internal access roads and parking;
- A new 3m high steel palisade fence and internal fencing around the live compound to ensure safety and security.
How much will the project cost?
It is early days and we won’t be able to cost the project fully until we have a definite proposal.
Who will pay for this project?
Ultimately, the cost of our investment in the electricity system is partly borne by consumers through electricity bills, so we are obliged to be economic and efficient. We recover our costs through transmission charges levied by National Grid.
The amount we invest in our networks and the amount we are able to recover is agreed with Ofgem, which is committed to working with industry, governments and consumer groups to deliver a net zero economy at the lowest cost to consumers. You can find out more about Ofgem.
How are you consulting local people?
We are planning two rounds of public consultation before we submit our planning application to both Fife Council and Clackmannashire Council.
Our first round of consultation ran until Friday 18 July 2024.
The second round of consultation runs until Friday 20 December 2024.
We are holding a public event on Wednesday 27th November 2024 from 2pm to 7pm at the Kincardine Community Centre, Anderson Lane, Kincardine, FK10 4SF.
You can find more details and an online feedback form on our Have Your Say tab.
Are you consulting landowners?
Yes, we will be talking to owners and occupiers of land that might be affected by our proposals. If you believe that your land may be affected and you have not yet heard from us, please contact us on our Have Your Say tab.
Have Your Say
Our second public consultation runs until Friday 20th December 2024.
Our first round of public consultation closed on Friday 18 July 2024. Information presented at our consultation and public exhibition can be found in the Documents page of this website.
SPEN attaches great importance to the effect our work may have on the environment and local communities. We want to hear what local people think about our plans, to help us develop the project in the best way.
What happens next?
Following this second round of consultation we will develop a detailed design for the substation layout, including proposed locations for buildings, access route and working areas.
We will publish a report summarising the feedback received and how this has influenced our proposals.
We will carry out a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and hold further consultation, before we finalise our proposals and submit a planning application under the Town and Country planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) to both Fife Council and Clackmannashire Council. This is because the proposed substation is within the Fife Council area, while the proposed access route from the A876 is within the Clackmannanshire Council area.
We will agree a Traffic Management Plan with the local authorities regarding vehicle movements and road improvements.
We will also need to submit applications to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, for the proposed changes to the overhead lines and uprating in voltage.
At this stage, your comments are not representations to planning authorities. When we submit applications for development consent in the future, you will be able to make formal representations at that stage.