Alyth Substation powers up
After almost three years of construction, SSEN Transmission teams have energised the new Alyth Substation, a milestone in the final phases of the project.
Image credit: SSEN Transmission
UK, Scotland: Working with principal contractor Siemens BAM, the new £86 million Alyth substation is a key part of SSEN Transmission’s reinforcement of the East Coast transmission network, which will support the connection of renewable generation in the north of Scotland to the grid.
Built to an operating capacity of 275 kV, the substation has been designed so that it can be increased to 400 kV in the future with minimal operational changes. This increase to 400 kV can deliver the full capacity increase required to facilitate major new renewable generation connections in the future. The project is one of many projects on the East Coast of Scotland to strengthen the transmission network in the region, enabling the connection of new renewable generation to the grid and helping to facilitate the transition to net zero emissions.
Building the substation involved installing new 275 kV double busbar gas insulated switchgear (GIS) and reactive compensation equipment. The project included the installation of a new dual-voltage 120-tonne SCT transformer, requiring a specialist haulier with a 12-axle vehicle to safely deliver it from Dundee Quay last spring. Teams are entering the concluding phases of work, focusing on reinstatement, and completing the final touches for the site compound. Throughout construction, efforts are made to manage environmental impacts, delivering significant biodiversity net gain on site throughout its construction.
Commenting on the energisation of the new substation, SSEN Transmission Project Manager Muhammad Usman Faisal said: “The energisation of the Alyth Substation marks a significant achievement in the lifespan of this project. It enhances the north-to-south power transfer capacity of our network, which not only helps us significantly to deliver a network for net zero emissions, but in turn improves our network’s operability, reliability, and safety”.
Source: SSEN Transmission