Work on the Beauly-Denny power line has hit another milestone with its largest section being built and energised on schedule.
The 47-mile overhead line, running between Fort Augustus and Tummel Bridge, has brought to an end four years of work across some of the most challenging and remote parts of Highland terrain.
The powerline now allows the transmission of energy between Beauly and Tummel Bridge substations – a distance of nearly 79 miles.
It is the second part of the project which is managed by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE-T).
Project director Alastair Brand said: “I am extremely proud of the teams who have worked through harsh weather conditions in mountainous terrain in locations that some considered it technically demanding to construct a tower line.
“The central section of the project required teams to construct 209 steel towers along the route linking Fort Augustus and Tummel Bridge substations. This is a highly technical project that is being delivered by our principal contractor Balfour Beatty who have been professional, dedicated and when faced with problems have been innovative towards reaching solutions.
“We have had a very good year in terms of progress and are now looking towards the erection of the final tower, in our licensed area, during 2015.”
The third and final section of the 136-mile power line, linking Tummel Bridge to Denny, is nearing completion and is programmed to be commissioned in 2015.
SHE-T have the responsibility to construct the replacement line to the Wharry Burn, Sheriffmuir, near Dunblane, and Scottish Power Energy Networks then have responsibility to construct the final section to Denny.
The 136-mile project is expected to be completed in November 2015 following the construction and energisation of the 18.6-mile section linking new substations at the southern end of the line.
Since starting in 2010, the Beauly-Denny project has contributed more than £100m to the Scottish economy and has supported the full time equivalent of 1,500 jobs, including direct employment within local communities.