POWER firm SSEN has warned "the lights will go out" if Scottish Government ministers accept Highland councillors’ objection to its planned transmission line upgrade in Skye.
Members of the council’s north and south planning committees oppose the scale of the £500 million scheme based on the grounds of potential impacts on communities and the natural environment.
The 100-mile line would transmit electricity generated by renewable projects between north west Skye and Fort Augustus on the mainland.
The power firm has said new lines are crucial in order to help the UK and Scottish Government meet targets for renewable energy.
As consultees, councillors were invited to comment and voted 11-9 to object to the planning application after a debate in Inverness on Wednesday.
In a statement, SSEN Transmission said: “We are extremely disappointed by the council’s decision to object to our project following the recent submission of additional information, which goes against the recommendation of the council’s planning officers and committee’s previous decision.
“The existing overhead line was built in the 1950s and is fast reaching the end of its operational life, as demonstrated by two major faults earlier this year which resulted in the temporary loss of power to over 20,000 customers with its replacement critical to keep the lights on for homes and businesses across Skye and in the Western Isles.
“It will also enable the connection of new renewable electricity generation along its route, supporting energy security and climate change targets.
“We now look forward to the Scottish Government’s timely determination of our Section 37 application and remain committed to work constructively with all stakeholders to deliver this critical national infrastructure, which is essential to keep the lights on and support the transition to net zero.”
The new line is part of proposals to strengthen transmission links to help achieve governmental 2045 carbon emission targets.
SSEN estimates the Skye link would take around three years to construct and a further seven months to remove outdated equipment.
However, a number of councillors complained there had been a lack of commitment to community benefit from the project.
Independent Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Margaret Paterson warned islanders would “lose their peace” if the application was approved and that residents “won’t allow Skye to be trashed”.
SNP Skye councillor Drew Millar moved the objection to the planning application and was seconded by fellow island councillor Ruraidh Stewart, who leads the council’s Conservative group.
The motion acknowledged the need for the transmission line but questioned the scale of SSEN’s proposal.
Andrew Robinson of the Skye Windfarm Information Group said: “Skye’s a beautiful, world renowned landscape. We depend on tourism for the economy.
“SSEN are pulling a fast one. They’re trying to persuade us it’s necessary to build a line of this scale and it’s not necessary.
“They could replace the line that’s already there with slightly increased capacity. That would keep the lights on, on Skye and the outer isles.”
Scottish Government ministers will decide whether the application is approved or not.
