Home   News   Article

Consultation event in Wick over Shetland transmission link


By Staff Reporter- NOSN

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

SSEN Transmission is hosting a pre-application public consultation event in Wick to outline its proposals for the installation of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Shetland and the Scottish mainland.

The transmission link is required to facilitate renewable electricity generators in Shetland looking to connect to the main GB transmission. If the link progresses, it will be the first time that Shetland has been connected to the main GB transmission network.

Consultation events are being held at the Wick community campus on July 23, from 3pm to 7.30pm, and in Lerwick two days later. These will give members of the public and any other interested stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about the proposed subsea cable and provide feedback to the project team ahead of SSEN Transmission’s application for a marine licence.

The proposed cable between Weisdale Voe in Shetland and Noss Head near Wick would be approximately 260km long, with all but 10km installed beneath the seabed.

As the licensed transmission network operator for the north of Scotland, SSEN Transmission has an obligation to provide connections to generators looking to connect to the transmission system. Significant new renewable generation is proposed for Shetland and SSEN Transmission says the HVDC cable is key to enabling these renewable generators to export their power to the rest of the country.

I’d encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about these proposals to come along, meet the team and ask any questions they may have.

In addition, the transmission link could also be used to provide power to help support Shetland’s everyday electricity requirements and address its future security of supply needs. The islands’ current electricity requirements are met mainly by Lerwick Power Station, which is nearing the end of its operational life and is expected to cease operations no later than 2025. The transmission link is currently scheduled to be energised in March 2024.

Kelly Scott, SSEN Transmission’s community liaison manager, said: "As a responsible developer we want to keep the local community updated on our proposals and are committed to consider any feedback provided prior to submitting our marine planning application.

“I’d encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about these proposals to come along, meet the team and ask any questions they may have."

Find out more about SSEN Transmission’s proposals for Shetland and the HVDC link here.

A cable-laying vessel working near Noss Head as part of the transmission link project. Picture: Alan Hendry
A cable-laying vessel working near Noss Head as part of the transmission link project. Picture: Alan Hendry

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More