£200m spin-off from SSEN pylon project forecast for Angus area
Angus businesses could benefit from a £200 million spin-off from SSEN’s infrastructure investment proposals, the company has said.
According to a new economic report linked to its multi-billion-pound, Perth-based SSEN Transmission hopes a £1.4 billion infrastructure investment in the county will deliver highly-paid new jobs, a construction industry uplift and funding for community projects.
But the report comes as communities continue to fight the controversial Kintore to Tealing 400kV overhead line project, the outcome of which will be decided by a Scottish Government public inquiry.
Angus is given special focus in the economic impact covering the entire £29 billion investment programme, which claims that the county is “emerging as a critical enabler of energy resilience” for the future.
The figures were scrutinised by the Fraser of Allander Institute, which said the firm’s modelling had generated “reasonable estimates” of possible benefits.
The figures include:-
- £1.4bn investment in transmission projects across the council area
- Up to £200m worth of contracts for Angus-based businesses
- Supporting up to 500 jobs
- Up to £35m annual spend in local construction sector
The report also suggests a median salary of £50,000 for new jobs, more than £10,000 higher than the Scottish average.
Angus will also benefit from legacy housing under plans to build more than 40 affordable homes on the site of Brechin Infirmary, to be used for contractors on the planned construction of the Kintore to Tealing pylon line. These would revert to Hillcrest Housing Association.
Rob McDonald, SSEN Transmission managing director, said: “Our wider investment programme represents one of the most significant developments of the transmission network in its history. In Angus alone, this is expected to support hundreds of jobs and generate around £200m of opportunities for local supply chains.”
Consent for the major Angus elements of the scheme has yet to be granted. A public inquiry began in June after Angus Council lodged a formal objection.