Dundee electrification plans

[Morayshire]

Delivery times for these are quite lengthy. No doubt the 3 units are in safe storage at Cadder until the Fife Circle or ACB schemes are authorised for installation. Not currently authorised. The other could possibly be for Dundee.

mods note - split from this thread:

Haymarket to Dalmeny electrification

A Prior Approval notification (21/05894/PA) has been lodged with City of Edinburgh Council by Network Rail for the "Proposed installation of overhead Line Equipment and associated temporary works, Haymarket to Dalmeny". The notification does not have much detail but can be viewed here...

www.railforums.co.uk

Re the text in bold, the Dundee feeder station planning application is in and is now available to view on the Dundee City Council Planning Portal

25/00359/FULN - Construction of a 132kV substation and rail traction transformer station and associated works

Brief summary from the Courier is as follows:

A new feeder station could be built in Dundee as part of a £120m project to electrify Scotland’s rail network.

SSEN Transmission have applied for planning permission to construct and operate a 132 kV GIS substation and 132 kV Network Rail feeder station in the city.

These will deliver power to the newly electrified lines between Dundee to Montrose.

The proposed development is located on land located in the Stannergate area of Dundee in an area “dominated by industrial land use and road and rail connections"

If approved, work will take place over the course of three years. Construction is expected to begin in June 2026.

Construction activities would be undertaken between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Link to Courier article - source of text quoted above - Dundee Planning Ahead: Network Rail feeder station proposals

 

[TrainViation]

Re the text in bold, the Dundee feeder station planning application is in and is now available to view on the Dundee City Council Planning Portal

25/00359/FULN - Construction of a 132kV substation and rail traction transformer station and associated works

Brief summary from the Courier is as follows:




Link to Courier article - source of text quoted above - Dundee Planning Ahead: Network Rail feeder station proposals

Magnificent! Glad it's happening so soon, as I expected it to begin around the early 2030s, following the Fife Circle's full electrification. Looking forward to see where the wires will take us next!

 

[Morayshire]

It is encouraging that they have put the planning application in. Hopefully the proposed start date of June 2026 doesn't turn out to be too optimistic and that this actually gets through planning without too much hassle.

 

[najaB]

It is encouraging that they have put the planning application in. Hopefully the proposed start date of June 2026 doesn't turn out to be too optimistic and that this actually gets through planning without too much hassle.

Given that the Stannergate area is heavily industrial, I can't see any reasonable person objecting.

 

[zwk500]

Given that the Stannergate area is heavily industrial, I can't see any reasonable person objecting.

but the issue is the unreasonable ones...

 

[najaB]

but the issue is the unreasonable ones...

Those will be pretty easy to reject.

 

[Trainbike46]

Those will be pretty easy to reject.

While that is likely true, it may still cause delays, especially if the people appeal etc.

Though chances of delay are definitely reduced with the feeder being in an industrial area!

 

[najaB]

Though chances of delay are definitely reduced with the feeder being in an industrial area!

The exact area outlined on the site plan is currently home to (disused?) storage tanks associated with the old Dundee oil refinery.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The exact area outlined on the site plan is currently home to (disused?) storage tanks associated with the old Dundee oil refinery.

Clean electricity vs dirty oil - it really should be a no-brainer.

 

[Trainbike46]

The exact area outlined on the site plan is currently home to (disused?) storage tanks associated with the old Dundee oil refinery.

Clean electricity vs dirty oil - it really should be a no-brainer.

Sounds like the area will be improved with an electrical substation/transformer station/electricity supply compound

 

[mcmad]

The only potential valid objections would be from the half dozen properties at the eastern end of the site albeit they are elevated above the proposed site there will be a potential increase in noise & RF interference.

 

[Davester50]

And the Eden Project that's getting built next door...

 

[fgwrich]

And the Eden Project that's getting built next door...

… I’ll believe that when I see it. Just like the Eden Project of Morecambe Bay.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Re the text in bold, the Dundee feeder station planning application is in and is now available to view on the Dundee City Council Planning Portal

25/00359/FULN - Construction of a 132kV substation and rail traction transformer station and associated works

Brief summary from the Courier is as follows:




Link to Courier article - source of text quoted above - Dundee Planning Ahead: Network Rail feeder station proposals

Quite a size for a feeder station but looks like its all indoor switchgear at 132kV as the grid is cabled in this area.

How many feeder stations are now in play without any timeline for when there will be wiring to feed though. Yes they are essential but personally I would have used the funds to keep the wiring teams occupied as work will dry up shortly once East Kilbride is complete.

 

[najaB]

… I’ll believe that when I see it. Just like the Eden Project of Morecambe Bay.

It has full planning consent now.

 

[Elecman]

Quite a size for a feeder station but looks like its all indoor switchgear at 132kV as the grid is cabled in this area.

How many feeder stations are now in play without any timeline for when there will be wiring to feed though. Yes they are essential but personally I would have used the funds to keep the wiring teams occupied as work will dry up shortly once East Kilbride is complete.

132/25kV feeder stations are quite large as the DNO will want a switching yard that are quite spread out and then the transformer(s) and a central control room with the necessary switching protection equipment and metering

 

[Davester50]

… I’ll believe that when I see it. Just like the Eden Project of Morecambe Bay.

Dundee City Clowncil say it's happening, so it must be.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

132/25kV feeder stations are quite large as the DNO will want a switching yard that are quite spread out and then the transformer(s) and a central control room with the necessary switching protection equipment and metering

It's indoor switchgear though so footprint should be smaller.

Anyhow, I guess Scottish Power have acquired the site as bulk of the equipment is theirs. It's a former oil storage site

https://www.cbre.co.uk/resources/fileassets/GB-Plus-512566/d3bfdf4a/DP933 - Nynas Dundee - Brochure V3.pdf

The site for sale comprises a former oil refinery facility, equating to approximately 8.9 acres, with operations being inactive for the last 10 years

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Anyhow, I guess Scottish Power have acquired the site as bulk of the equipment is theirs. It's a former oil storage site

https://www.cbre.co.uk/resources/fileassets/GB-Plus-512566/d3bfdf4a/DP933 - Nynas Dundee - Brochure V3.pdf

Wow, that is convenient and strategic. I assume a neutral section would need to go in though so I was wondering if a neutral section so close to the station might be an issue?

 

[59CosG95]

Wow, that is convenient and strategic. I assume a neutral section would need to go in though so I was wondering if a neutral section so close to the station might be an issue?

They could always offset the neutral section from the feeder station's position. It worked for South Wigston!

 

[GW43125]

Wow, that is convenient and strategic. I assume a neutral section would need to go in though so I was wondering if a neutral section so close to the station might be an issue?

A quick play at Google maps suggests the old oil store is about a mile east of the station-Manningtree, Oxenholme, Penrith & Carlisle all have similarly awkward neutral sections from memory.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

They could always offset the neutral section from the feeder station's position. It worked for South Wigston!

A quick play at Google maps suggests the old oil store is about a mile east of the station-Manningtree, Oxenholme, Penrith & Carlisle all have similarly awkward neutral sections from memory.

It looks like I was getting concerned unnecessarily. Thanks. 1 mile is more than enough.

 

[Mrwerdna1]

Gosh, finally some fantastic news! This is an excellent approach. Won't guarantee electrification reaches Angus, nor that it does so more quickly, but it certainly helps in that regard. And if wires do reach Montrose at some point it is not as hard to make the argument for bringing them all the way to Aberdeen..

Excellent stuff!

 

[stuving]

A few points from the proposal:

• The grid at Dundee is partly 275 kV and partly 132 kV, with the transformers at Tealing north of the city.
• The applicant is Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc, operating and known as Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission ("SSEN Transmission").
• Part of the Stannergate site will be a new 132 kV grid supply point to replace the existing one at Dudhope.
• Network rail have asked for 16.2 MW.
• There will be a "25 kV underground cable connection between application site and the Network Rail Feeder Station to be located near to Dundee Railway Station".

 

[Southsider]

Quite a size for a feeder station but looks like its all indoor switchgear at 132kV as the grid is cabled in this area.

How many feeder stations are now in play without any timeline for when there will be wiring to feed though. Yes they are essential but personally I would have used the funds to keep the wiring teams occupied as work will dry up shortly once East Kilbride is complete.

From a wiring point of view, East Kilbride is complete although it will probably need some adjustments after testing.

 

[gingertom]

Network rail have asked for 16.2 MW.

Any ideas what level and type of traffic this would service? My gut feeling is this is a bit light.

 

[hwl]

Any ideas what level and type of traffic this would service? My gut feeling is this is a bit light.

That could easily handle ~ 40 coaches of high performance EMU at full power (i.e. acclerating hard not just maintining speed).
It sound low compared to elsewhere where feeds have typically have been ~80MW from 400kV but how much actual traffic drawing lots of power at the same time will there be?

The key question is how big is the supply area?
There looks to be good easy supply opportunities from 275kV around Perth (intersecting or close to the three routes around the outskirts) and along the Laurencekirk - Stonehaven section hence it may only be feeding the track inside the area bounded by something like the Grange - Cupar - Arbroath.
(Was there any clear plan on the Northern most extent of the Fife electrification feeding?)

 

[GraphitProjekt]

I think all the feeders stations for new 25kV lines have been from the supergrid over the last few decades, so this may be the first off a 132kV line in quite some time.

 

[themiller]

I realise that trains don’t pull full current all the time and the rating of the supply point depends upon diversity factor. How is this worked out and could this particular area supply a couple of class 99s and a 80x at the same time?

 

[Wyrleybart]

Am I missing something ?
I noted this in the report

These will deliver power to the newly electrified lines between Dundee to Montrose.

When was Dundee to Montrose electrified ?