SP Energy Networks (SPEN) has been contracted by National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) to connect the proposed Carrick Wind Farm to the National Grid.
SPEN have a licence obligation to provide electricity generators with a connection to the electrical system in this area. To enable this, we are proposing to deviate the existing 275kV Coylton to Auchencrosh circuit (known as YY route) into the proposed Carrick 275/33kV substation to connect the wind farm to the transmission network. The proposal includes the removal of three existing towers from YY route, to be replaced with four new towers and associated OHL conductors to maintain a continuous connection in and out of the substation.
The Proposed Development is located within the administrative boundary of South Ayrshire Council and covers a length of approximately 1.3 km of the existing YY route, c.8km south of Straiton, South Ayrshire. The section of YY route subject of the proposed development is located within the southeast portion of the Carrick Wind Farm development boundary.
A tower siting study has been carried out to assess the most appropriate locations for the new towers from an environmental, technical, and economic perspective.
An EIA Screening Request for the proposed development will be submitted to the Energy Consents Unit in November 2024. Following this, an application is to be submitted to Scottish Ministers for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 and for deemed planning permission under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to carry out the works as described above.
The public can share their views or request to be kept informed of the project by contacting carrick@spenergynetworks.co.uk or by writing to:
Carrick Connection
Land and Planning Team
SP Energy Networks
55 Fullarton Drive
Glasgow
G32 8FA
The consultation period ran from October 7th until Friday 8th November 2024. We will publish a consultation feedback in due course detailing the responses recieved and any actions taken following the consultation.
Please note - Comments at this stage are made to allow SPEN to determine whether changes to our preferred designs are necessary. Following submission of the S37, during which the Scottish Government will undertake a formal consultation, there will be further opportunity to comment on our proposals directly to Scottish Ministers.
The proposed Carrick Substation will be the subject of a separate EIA screening request and subsequent Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 application to South Ayrshire Council, and the public will be notified and consulted on this development separately through a formal Pre-Application Consultation process.