Scottish Government Approves £480m Skye, Fort Augustus Powerline Upgrade

The Scottish Government has approved the controversial Skye Reinforcement project, a £480 million upgrade to replace the existing overhead power line between Fort Augustus and Skye, which is nearing the end of its operational life. SSEN Transmission, responsible for the project, highlighted that the new line will have greater capacity to connect new renewable energy sources, thereby boosting energy security and supporting the UK's clean power ambitions. The upgrade includes burying nine miles of cable underground to protect the scenic views of Skye's Cuillin mountains. Despite opposition and objections from Highland Council and local campaigners, who called for a public inquiry citing concerns about landscape impact and construction disruptions, the government granted Section 37 consent, emphasizing the project's importance for supplying electricity to about 32,000 homes and businesses in the region. SSEN Transmission also noted that the project is part of a broader £20 billion investment plan to modernize northern Scotland's electricity transmission network, with an aim to accelerate infrastructure delivery and support energy security goals for 2030 and beyond. The company and government stress the project's potential to drive local economic growth and job creation.