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Kincardine North Substation

Scotland is producing more clean, green energy that ever before, and we need to strengthen the transmission network so we can get it to the homes, schools and businesses that need it.

Renewable energy is replacing older fossil-fuelled power stations. At the same time, the demand for electricity is growing through increased electrification of heating, industry and transport networks, and electric vehicles are replacing petrol and diesel.

The UK and Scottish Governments are committed to increasing the use of renewable energy and have targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2045 in Scotland and 2050 in the UK.

This huge change means we need to upgrade Scotland’s electricity transmission network, so we can get this increasing amount of energy from where it's produced to where it’s needed.

To help make this happen we need to build a new substation just north of Kincardine in Fife – close to where existing overhead lines cross each other – so we can increase the voltage of those lines from 275kV (275,000 volts) to 400kV, to strengthen the electricity transmission network and guarantee secure energy supplies for the future.

This website explains our plans, and how you can give us your views - use our feedback form.

Proposal

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.

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 new 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, 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;
  • A new underground cable connection to the existing Kincardine 275kV substation

 

Location

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.

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.

The other locations we assessed were just to the north-east, south-east and south-west of the overhead line crossing; the former Paper Mill site; land west of the A876; the existing Kincardine 275kV substation site; and the Longannet area.

Our preferred site has fewer environmental challenges than some of the other locations, including a lower risk of flooding. Because the existing overhead lines already cross the site, it also requires the least amount of new overhead lines and underground cables to be constructed, providing the lowest cost solution for consumers. It is also possible to access the site from the A876 main road, minimising disturbance to local residents.

Find more information about the site selection in our Kincardine North 400kV Substation Site Selection document.

Overhead Line Changes

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.

Proposed_Terminal_Towers

Documents

Project Documents

For our first round of consultation, we have produced a number of supporting documents.

FAQs

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 access route from the A876 for transformer deliveries, 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.
  • A new underground cable connection to the existing Kincardine 275kV substation.

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.

The first round of consultation runs until Friday 18 July 2024.

We are holding a public event on Tuesday 18 June 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

Have Your Say

Our public consultation runs until Friday 18 July 2024.

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.

Please come along to our public exhibition, where you can see our plans in more detail and ask questions of the project team.

Date

Venue

Time

Tuesday 18 June

Kincardine Community Centre, Anderson Lane, Kincardine, FK10 4SF

2pm – 7pm

 

If you have any feedback on our proposals, please complete the below feedback form.

 

What happens next?

Following this first round of consultation we will develop a detailed design for the substation layout, including locations for buildings, access route and working areas. We will publish a report summarising the feedback received in this first round of consultation 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 and underground cable site it within the Fife Council area, while the proposed access route from the A876 is within the Clackmannanshire Council area.

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.

 

 

 

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