Critical upgrades to the North and North-east's energy grid have hit another hurdle after the Highland Council refused planning permission for Fanellan substation near Beauly.
The setback comes days after the Fetteresso Forest substation near Stonehaven was narrowly blocked by Aberdeenshire councillors after a seven-hour debate.
SSEN Transmission, which is investing more than £20billion in upgrading the network infrastructure across the north of Scotland, is understood to be reviewing the decisions before proceeding to appeal.
On Wednesday, the company posted a trading update revealing it had obtained three quarters of the necessary permissions for its network improvements, and that it would be focusing on acquiring the remaining consents in 2026.
However, that progress has dashed, first by the Stonehaven substation decision last week, and now by the Beauly planning decision.
The Press and Journal reports councillors blocked the Beauly plans after objectors voiced fears regarding the substation's visual, environmental and local impacts.
Despite Highland Council planning officers recommending permission be granted, councillors ultimately overruled them, as well as Highland businesses which had written to warn of the economic impact refusal.
The council had received close to 2,000 objections to the plans.
Jason Stewart, Commercial Director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Upgrading our energy grid is absolutely key to unlocking investment in a range of sectors that will be important to our future economy.”