An investigation by environmental health officers into the facility near Beauly concluded that a statutory nuisance exists, following a number of complaints from residents.
The complaints concerned low frequency humming noise coming from the substation, owned by SHE Transmission, which is part of SSE.
The noise became apparent following the commissioning of new equipment installed at the site.
Alan Yates, Highland Council’s environmental health manager, said: “Our officers have reached the stage of the investigation where they feel it is appropriate to serve an abatement notice to ensure the nuisance is resolved and to provide some reassurance to local residents.”
SHE Transmission has been working with the Highland Council since July 213 when the issue was reported and Alastair Brand, Beauly Denny project director said he was “disappointed” the noise notice had been served.
He added: “We have made a significant amount of progress and there is now a programme in place to resolve the issue.
“This is a complex technical issue and it takes time to design the correct solutions and procure the appropriate equipment in order to deliver the most effective solution”
SHE Transmission has been given six months to deal with the problem, and work to install “acoustic barriers” at the substation are due to start this month.