Jamie Stone calls for public inquiry over Highland power line plans
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Jamie Stone is calling for public inquiry into the controversial plans for an overhead power line between Caithness and Inverness-shire.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and First Minister Humza Yousaf saying he has received "strong representations from a large number of constituents" on the issue.
He argues that an inquiry should be funded jointly by the UK and Scottish governments.
SSEN Transmission has faced a backlash over its plans for a 400kV line between Spittal in Caithness, Loch Buidhe in Sutherland and Beauly in Inverness-shire, which include new substations at each location.
Mr Stone said: "I have two major questions that need answering. Firstly, given that a subsea cable is already part of the proposal, why isn’t it planned to channel all power generated by far north onshore and offshore wind via subsea cable?
"Secondly, the proposals to generate hydrogen in the far north will need a large amount of electrical power. How does this fit in with the Scottish Government's proposal to export a very great deal of wind-generated electricity to England?
"This is a major strategic issue for the whole of the UK and should be subject to the widest and most careful decision-making.
"I believe that only a full public inquiry – where all have an opportunity to contribute – will deliver this. As it is an issue for both UK and Scottish governments, they should jointly fund such an inquiry."
In his letter to Mr Sunak and Mr Yousaf, Mr Stone says: "I have received strong representations from a large number of constituents on this matter. There is great concern about how this power line will negatively impact beautiful stretches of scenery and heritage, which should remain a significant attraction for both domestic and international tourists.
"I am also troubled by the fact that these plans do not sit happily with the prospect of large-scale hydrogen generation associated with the establishment of the Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.
"The proposed power line seems to be mostly about the export of wind-generated electricity to England – whereas the fact is that much of this energy will be required north of the border in places like the Cromarty Firth and other hydrogen-producing areas.
"These proposals are of serious importance to the UK’s future national energy infrastructure. This should reflect other uses such as hydrogen production. This is why I am now calling for a public inquiry into SSE’s pylon plan.
"The local community, the country, and stakeholder companies should be allowed the opportunity to contribute. This is a major strategic issue for the whole of the UK and should therefore be subject to the widest and most careful decision-making."
A campaign group, Communities B4 Power Companies (CB4PC), has been set up "to stop this annihilation of our environment by a wealthy multinational". The group has accused energy bosses of trying to "industrialise the Highlands".
Protesters claim the matter has been made worse by a "derisory" initial one-month consultation window and two-week extension.
Speaking recently as CB4PC launched a series of new posters and billboard adverts, campaigner Lyndsey Ward said: “We want the facts and figures, not just having it forced upon us. Show us the evidence we need this transmission because we have looked and we can’t find it.”
In March, SSEN Transmission said some of its staff had faced "verbal abuse and physical threats" over the power line plans. SSEN Transmission says the project is "part of a GB-wide programme of works that are required to meet UK and Scottish Government 2030 renewable targets".
