ENERGY NETWORKS

ENERGY NETWORKS
Crystal Rig 400kV Substation Extension We’d like to find out what you think... SP Energy Networks (SPEN), through its transmission licence holder Scottish Power Transmission plc (SPT), proposes to construct an extension to the existing 400kV Substation at Crystal Rig, 10km south of Dunbar and 7.5km north west of the village of Cranshaws. The extension is required to allow the proposed Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm to connect to the electricity network. As the transmission licence holder, SPT is obliged to provide this connection. The proposed Crystal Rig Substation Extension is located within East Lothian and Scottish Borders, the site straddling the administrative boundary between the two Council areas. Planning permission was obtained from both Councils to construct the Substation Extension in 2013. Since obtaining the planning permissions, new electrical engineering safety clearance standards have been introduced which require the Substation Extension electrical compound area to be increased in size from 95m x S137m to 100m x 144m (an increase overall of 5m in width x 7m in length). In addition, the proposed development construction method has identified the requirement for an enlarged temporary compound area primarily for the storage of material and management of surface water in accordance with best practice guidelines. To the south of the existing Crystal Rig Substation, an extension to allow the connection of Aikengall II wind farm is currently under construction. A new temporary construction access road has been established to facilitate the development. It is now considered that this road would provide a more appropriate route for traffic engaged in the construction of the Crystal Rig Substation Extension. Considerable environmental planning has been undertaken to minimise the environmental impact of the proposals and, as part of our consultation process, we want to give you the opportunity to comment prior to the Planning Applications being made to East Lothian and Scottish Borders Councils for consent to construct the Crystal Rig Substation Extension. You can see these proposals by visiting our Exhibition at: Spott Village Hall (Spott, EH42 1RJ): 24th & 25th April 2017 between the hours of 12 noon to 8pm. SPT staff and environmental consultants will be available at the Exhibition to discuss the proposals on the 25th April 2017. An information leaflet which will be at the Exhibition and further details of the proposed development is available to view on the the Internet at: https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/community_consultation.aspx If you wish to make any comments on this proposal you can do so by contacting us at the following email and postal address no later than Friday 16th June 2017. crystalrigprojectmanager@spenergynetworks.co.uk or by writing to: Crystal Rig Project Manager, ScottishPower EnergyNetworks, 3rd Floor Ochil House, 10 Technology Avenue, Hamilton International Technology Park, Blantyre, G72 0HT. Please note that any comments made during this Consultation are not representations to the Local Planning Authority, who will determine the subsequent Planning Application for consent. Following the submission of the Planning Application, interested parties will have the opportunity to make representations to East Lothian and Scottish Borders on these proposals.