The company has concluded the first round of a public consultation on the proposed 400kV network from Auchencrosh to Harker in Cumbria to increase capacity in the area, required for Scotland to meet its renewable energy targets.
SPEN said it will be undertaking further analysis with National Grid to determine the extent to which subsidy cuts and the future mix of power generation in Scotland could alter its plans before launching the second phase of consultation in the summer of this year.
It said the analysis is needed to “ensure that the most appropriate proposal is taken forward to the next stage of the process”.
It said investment in the area is still required despite any change to legislation as the infrastructure is approaching the end of its life and the network is no longer fit for purpose.
The new line is also needed to enable the import and export of electricity through the Northern Ireland ‘Moyle’ interconnector.
SPEN also plans to remove approximately 130km of existing 132kV lattice steel tower overhead line infrastructure that is no longer required as part of the upgrade.
SPEN’s transmission director Pearse Murray said: “In our initial documentation published last year, we indicated our intention to undertake a second round of consultation in 2016 on the preferred routes and substation sites.
“Once we have the results of the studies that are underway, we will be in a position to set out any implications on the scope of the project and our plans for the next round of consultation”.
The first stage of the consultation received 1,600 pieces of feedback which raised concerns around the potential visual impact of the overhead line, with a preference for the line to be subsea or underground, and an objection to overhead lines in places where there are none currently.