Grid capacity prevents power for new housing in Moray
Elgin's Edgar Road had been earmarked for new housing, but SSEN can supply the properties with power
Elgin’s Bilbohall housing development has been delayed because the new houses cannot be supplied with power.
Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) told Moray Council they did not have the grid capacity in Elgin to service the new housing.
Council officers spoke of their “frustration” with SSEN, who they have been liaising with for some time.
In November of last year, SSEN told Moray Council they had concerns with the capacity of the grid to service new homes.
Improvements to Elgin’s grid system planned to take place in 2026 have now been delayed to 2030.
It means the current amount of electricity SSEN could provide the Bilbohall project makes it “not viable” according to council documents.
Moray Council have said they intend to continue developing plans for the site but no work will get underway until SSEN can guarantee grid capacity.
The Bilbohall site was first identified for housing almost 20 years ago.
Since then, plans have revised and reduced multiple times culminating in the current development, approved in October last year.
The first phase of which planned to bring 106 new homes to the end of Edgar Road.
The housing is a mixed-development of one to five bedroom housing and two-bedroom flats.
Head of Housing and Property Services Edward Thomas said: “It’s a matter of frustration we’ve hit this problem.
“We’ve been engaging with SSEN for some time in relation to this.”
SSEN’s housing strategy hopes to “not worsen” rural housing issues, by providing alternative housing for workers outwith local housing options.
Mr Thomas remarked “the irony… is not lost on us” rural housing is now being impacted as a direct result of SSEN’s delays.
A spokesperson from SSEN Distribution said: “We’re working closely with Moray Council on this matter, including exploring potential network solutions to help them meet the current project timescales for the Bilbohall development.
“With demand for electricity in and around Elgin continuing to grow, we are starting work to upgrade our local network later this year; these projects will run through to 2030, releasing additional capacity onto the network in stages, helping to support all customers who are looking to connect.”
“SSEN Transmission is currently in dialogue with local authorities in the north of Scotland, including Moray Council, about delivering a housing legacy from workforce accommodation. Decisions will be made in due course.”
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