Councillors want the latest lines through Caithness buried.
Councillors have insisted that new transmission lines in Caithness are buried underground, potentially delaying the project.
Local member Gillian Coghill argued at yesterday’s north planning committee meeting in Inverness for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to bury as much of the proposed 132 kV line as possible, between Weydale and Reaster.
The Gills Bay transmission project is an essential part of the MeyGen tidal generation development in the Pentland Firth.
Citing visual blight, councillor Coghill had the unanimous support of committee colleagues.
A spokesman for SSEN said: “We’re disappointed by the decision and will carefully consider the issues raised and our options.
“As a responsible developer, we’ve worked with a wide range of stakeholders over several years to develop detailed proposals which balance environmental, technical and economic considerations.
“The route seeks to avoid impacts on important north coast landscapes and main tourist routes. On the inland route proposed, we’ve made efforts to minimise impacts on residential amenity, existing agricultural land use and key environmental features.”
Highland transmission project could be delayed if lines have to go underground
