Wild Land News no 60, Spring 2004

SWLG objection to new power lines across the Highlands Article

The Steering Team have written to Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd to register our concern over the proposal to upgrade the existing 132,000-volt overhead line to 400,000 volts, using 50m high pylons for 220km between Beauly and Denny. Although 75% of the route will follow the existing line, we believe the new towers will have a much more serious visual impact across wider areas of countryside. In addition, we are concerned about the impact of associated construction work including the proposal to build temporary roads for erecting the new pylons.

We also believe the rationale behind this upgrade to be flawed. The introduction to the Consultation Document makes it clear that the purpose of the new line is to provide grid connections and capacity for the anticipated rush of electricity generation from renewable sources in the north of Scotland. This would appear to be putting the cart before the horse at a time when the whole issue of renewables is so contentious, and when new technologies for power generation are rapidly emerging.

We deplore the state of affairs which assumes that the fine landscapes of Scotland must be sacrificed to meet the increasing energy demands of the UK.

More info: see the Highlands before Pylons campaign.