Powering Ahead for Pollinators Thurso South Substation Great Yellow Bumblebee Enhancement 1
What we do 2
Thurso South project • Thurso 275/132/33 kV substation is part of a larger development to reinforce the electricity transmission network allowing connection of renewable generation projects in the north of Scotland. • It is located close to the A9 7 miles south of Thurso. • Consent was granted in 2013 and construction completed in late 2017. 3
The team • Client – SSEN • Contractor – Balfour Beatty • ECoWs – Angus Spirit and WSP • Expert advice -Bumblebee Conservation Trust 4
The site • On an area of rough grazing. • Platform area of ca. 5ha where no habitat is possible. • Ground around substation to be used for screening bunds and planting. • Retained by SSEN in our ownership. • Surrounding area mainly improved grazing. 5
What do we do? • Consented planting plan focused towards screening, not biodiversity. Opportunity identified by the contractors ECoW to change focus whilst maintaining screening. • Changed the planting plan to a more site specific species mix going over and above what was required for planning. • 10 ha of wildflower meadow seeded together with a mix of other habitats in 2017. • Provided better tree planting – early pollen sources and a variety of habitats. • Site specific species mix designed in collaboration with seed supplier and BBCT, but also to be as low maintenance as possible. 6
Benefits – the pollinators In 2019 10 bumblebees were recorded, almost all queens. Four different species (white-tailed, common carder, Gypsy cuckoo, Garden bumblebee). Last year, only common carder was recorded (from a partial survey). Most bees were foraging on ragged robin, with a couple on yellow rattle and creeping thistle. Good establishment of wildflowers across the site, especially yellow rattle and ragged robin, but 10 other species were in flower at the time of the visit giving a good diversity of forage opportunities, including viper’s bugloss and red clover. Rodents have been burrowing in the banks (rabbits, rats) which will give good nesting opportunities for bumblebees right next to good forage, which is ideal. 7
Benefits - the community • 200 m 2 of wildflower earth won at the CIRIA BIG Awards donated to ERI in Thurso. • Specific species mix and BBCT provided advice. • Compliments an existing wild flower meadow at the site. • Maintenance agreement already in place. • Will act as a resource for students at UHI but also school children. 8
Benefits - internal recognition • Internal intranet via news items and blog posts. • Setting out an example of what can be achieved. • Similar enhancement used on other projects in Caithness. • Raising the profile of Transmission within the wider group. • Contributed to corporate reporting e.g. • Biodiversity Report • Sustainability Report 9
Benefits - external recognition • Social media. • Local and national press. • Conservation bodies websites/blogs. • Building relationships with stakeholders. • Supported environmental submission to the regulator. • Awards; • CIRIA BIG • Green Apple 10
Why is it working? • There was local interest from both the contractor and other stakeholders. • It was a relatively simple change and easily repeated. • It supported a wider conservation effort. • It was focused so the reasons for the effort was clear. • Ongoing monitoring with BBCT. 11
Legacy • The success of this biodiversity enhancement in Caithness has contributed to ambitious commitments to Biodiversity Net Gain in SSEN’s new sustainability strategy. • BNG assessments are now undertaken on all new substations, the results of which are used to steer improvements in landscape/planting design. • Together with SSEN is now recognised as an industry leader for BNG in Scotland and the experience gained through these assessments is allowing the BNG process to be further refined. • Promoting the natural environment – delivering a net positive environmental impact 12
Summary points for success • Collaborative – it wouldn’t haven’t been possible without ‘buy - in’ from the contractor, external stakeholders and us as client. • Focused – know what your doing and why. Have a plan and stick to it (unless there is a reason not to!). • Meaningful – avoid ‘tokenism’. • Monitor – and act on the results of the monitoring. 13
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