Power line 'key for green energy'
December 7, 2005
Failure to build a controversial new power line could kill Scotland's renewable energy plans "stone dead", green businesses have warned.
Opponents of the line said the larger pylons would ruin the landscape.
But industry forum Scottish Renewables said the 137-mile Beauly to Denny upgrade was necessary for the future growth of green energy production.
Scottish and Southern Energy has lodged a planning application for the new electricity transmission line.
It said that the current 132kv line would not be sufficient to feed power from the growing number of wind and hydro energy sites in the Highlands and islands to the National Grid.
The 400kv upgrade plan consists of 600 electricity pylons between Beauly in the Highlands and Denny, near Falkirk, running through the Cairngorms National Park and within sight of the Wallace Monument in Stirling.
The larger pylons would reach up to 65m high, although there would be 200 fewer than at present.
Outdoor groups and local protesters have called for the transmission line to be buried underground, but SSE claimed the cost implications would be too high.
And Maf Smith, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said that if work on the power line did not go ahead Scotland's renewable energy industry would be "strangled at birth".
He said: "We believe that Scottish and Southern Energy has put forward a robust proposal that minimises impact to an acceptable level and is a vital improvement on the existing line it will replace.
"This upgrade to the power infrastructure is as fundamental to the economy as our road or rail infrastructure and future investment in renewables is dependent on this outcome."
Scottish Renewables represents 160 green businesses and organisations.
The plans for the power line, being considered by the Scottish Executive, are out for public consultation until 12 December.
Print this page