In a surprise move, Highland Council has rejected a major planning application for a Sutherland substation that is part of the national drive towards renewable energy.
The north planning applications committee refused planning permission for the Carnaig Substation located near Bonar Bridge.
The move is a major blow to SSEN's plan to transport renewable power "from source to areas of demand across the country."
But the committee determined that there was insufficient data and there were significant and apparently unaddressed concerns with traffic management.
During the pre-determination hearing locals argued that the proximity and location of the primary school and playing fields constituted a risk.
It was also pointed out that most if not all of the energy produced would be sent south and that there was therefore very little benefit to locals residents.
The 49 objections resulted in what is called material considerations of which there are 24 - typically such a high number would indicate that planning could be rejected.
Among them were the impact on the landscape of the wider area and setting of Loch Buidhe and Strath Carnaig and Kyle of Sutherland.
The impact on Strath Carnaig Site of Special Scientific Interest and on the Caithness blanket bog which was given World Heritage Status, and on cultural heritage.
The ecological impact from the substation along with proposed overhead lines and nearby wind farms and the pollution risk to the local environment and watercourses.
There were fears about piecemeal development through more demand for wind farms and battery storage developments and if the carbon costs have not been calculated accurately.
Traffic and road safety concerns from the construction phase, particularly in Bonar Bridge, as it would pass a shop and school and on minor roads leading to the site.
Council officers felt that it was acceptable and recommended approval, and given the Scottish and UK governments pushing to establish renewable energy by 2030 it was thought likely to pass planning.
But the committee rejected that and refused planning permission, which will have a significant impact on SSEN's plans for renewable energy in the north of Scotland.
The rejected proposals
Carnaig is one of three major substations earmarked for the region alongside Banniskirk in Caithness and Fanellan near Beauly.
Banniskirk was already agreed by the same committee while Fanellan is due to be determined tomorrow by the south planning applications committee.
Each of the developments are huge and almost unprecedented since the days of oil and gas when major industrial centres were created in rural areas.
The application outlined plans for construction of a 400kV air insulated outdoor electricity substation about 7km northwest of Bonar Bridge.
The project would create a new level platform 530m by 324m through cut and fill earthworks for four condenser buildings standing about 33m by 32m and 14.5m in height.
On top of that there would be three new Supergrid Transformers and a control building 48m by 23m and 5.8m in height.
The development is part of the SSEN's Pathway to 2030 which the company said is "critical to delivering the UK and Scottish Government's offshore wind targets."
That means three new 400kV connections would be needed according to SSEN - Banniskirk, then Carnaig and then Fanellan.
Only Banniskirk has the green light from planning and Fanellan is due to be decided tomorrow.