Reply from the Scottish Government

31 August 2015
Dear Mr Howdle
Thank your email of 25th of August to Dr Aileen McLeod concerning the Dumfries and Galloway
Strategic Wider Works and its impact on the landscape. I work in the Energy Markets team at
the Scottish Government and have been asked to respond on her behalf.
Transmission Owners, SHE-Transmission and Scottish Power Transmission in Scotland, have a
duty to develop and maintain an efficient, co-ordinated and economical transmission network
and it is for a them to decide when it is the right time to initiate Strategic Wider Works.
It is however for the regulator Ofgem to make a decision on whether proposed transmission
upgrades like the Dumfries and Galloway proposals will enable construction of the correct
infrastructure at the right time, and establish if electricity generators are sufficiently committed to
the projects that would connect to the upgrade. We expect Ofgem will take a robust approach in
assessing whether Scottish Power’s plans are justified, economical and in the interests of
consumers.
Scottish Power Energy Networks(SPEN) have yet to submit an application or ‘needs case’ to
Ofgem for the Dumfries and Galloway Strategic Reinforcement, although they are going through
the first phase of public consultation with residents and stakeholders potentially affected by the
proposals.
SPEN will undertake a further two stages of consultation and do not expect to make an
application to Scottish Ministers for the erection of overhead lines until 2019. A Stakeholder
Liaison Group, chaired by the Scottish Government, has been formed to provide a forum for
considering the planning, environmental, cultural and natural heritage issues that will arise from
the proposal, and a final decision will be made following a robust consultative process in line with
all legal and planning obligations.
I hope this is helpful in addressing your concerns.
Marian McSeveney

Comment:- Can anyone see where it says anything about exporting electricity to the rest of UK as the reason for having these pylons???????

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