Moray MP Douglas Ross says he was “delighted” to have the opportunity to visit SSEN’s substation at Blackhillock, near Keith on Friday.
Douglas was given a tour round the site from Mark MacLennnan, SSEN’s Transmission High Voltage Direct Current Operations manager to learn more about the work that is going on to power homes and businesses across Moray and beyond.
He said that visiting the site in person gave him the chance to see the scale of the infrastructure involved at the substation and recognise the critical importance of the site to the local area. He says it is “fantastic” that SSEN are continuing to invest in Blackhillock.
Douglas added that investment in these transmissions will be “vital” to ensure that ambitious net zero targets can be met and he thanked the team at Blackhillock for making the time to take him round the substation and explain the work that is being undertaken.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “I was delighted to have this opportunity to visit the substation at Blackhillock. It is fantastic that we have this major infrastructure site right here in Moray and I thank Mark and the rest of the team for taking the time to show me around the site and explain how operations work within it.
“The site is powering homes and businesses across Moray and well beyond that which cannot be understated at this time. SSEN are continuing to invest in the site which they have consistently done since it became operational in 2017.
“Blackhillock will play a vital role in ensuring that our ambitious net zero targets can be met in the coming years, which is another bonus of having this site situated in a rural area like Moray.
“Visiting the sub station in person gave me a far greater and better understanding of the work that is involved in powering local homes and businesses and I hope to see continued investment here and locally in the months and years ahead.”
Mark MacLennan, SSEN Transmission’s HVDC Operations Manager, said: “It was great to welcome Douglas Ross, MP for Moray, along to visit our Blackhillock Substation to find out more about our Operational HVDC assets and current projects across the north of Scotland, and to learn more about our future network investment plans to help deliver net zero and energy security across the country.
“We’re working hard to deliver a network for net zero, with a large programme of projects planned across our region including creating a new 400kV overhead line between Beauly and Peterhead to support the vast increase in renewable generation from across the north of Scotland.
“It’s an exciting time ahead and we’re pleased to have welcomed Mr Ross to visit one of our major substations to demonstrate the work which is taking place in the area, which will play a critical role in supporting the UK and Scottish Government’s Net Zero targets.”
