Orkney-Caithness Link project gathers pace as contracts are awarded
Contracts have been signed with the Siemens Energy and BAM Joint Venture, Nexans and RJ McLeod for key elements of the construction of the Orkney-Caithness 220kV link, connecting Orkney to the Scottish mainland for the first time.
Construction is set to get under way this month, SSEN Transmission said.
The project will see the Orkney Islands connected to the GB electricity transmission network for the first time, with contracts awarded to key supply chain partners.
The Orkney-Caithness Link project, an estimated capital investment of more than £900m, will see the installation of a new high voltage alternating current (HVAC) subsea cable between Orkney and the Scottish mainland, enabling the connection of up to 220MW of new renewable electricity to the national grid.
Ofgem approves Orkney transmission link with Dounreay substation
Subscribe to receive our free email newsletters
The link will consist of a new substation at Finstown in Orkney, along with around 14km of underground cable to where it makes landfall at Warebeth, then 53km of subsea cable, which will connect into a new substation at Dounreay where connection will be made to the GB network.
Contracts have now been awarded to the key supply chain partners that will help in the delivery of this project.
The substations will be constructed by the Siemens Energy and BAM Joint Venture (JV) who bring significant experience of delivering transmission substations including in island environments.
RJ McLeod will install the underground cable ducting, including horizontal direction drilling to minimise impact at landfalls and water courses.
Nexans will be manufacturing the cable in Halden, Norway, and will install the 14km land and 53km subsea cable system between the substations.
Deputy project director at SSEN Transmission, Ian Clark, said: “We’re delighted to have awarded these crucial contracts to the Siemens Energy and BAM JV, Nexans and RJ McLeod for the delivery of the Orkney-Caithness Link project. All three have a strong track-record of project delivery and we’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with them.
“Early development and initial public consultation on this project started in 2017 and reaching this point – where we’re ready for construction to begin – is a testament to the hard work by the entire team at SSEN Transmission and our supply chain partners.
“We’re now ready to get started with construction work at each end of the link in Finstown and Dounreay and will keep the communities informed as we make progress.”
SSEN Transmission wants locals from neighbouring communities to be part of its Community Liaison Group (CLG), a body for information sharing and, ot says, two-way engagement. To find out more email orkney.engagement@sse.com.
With the supply chain in place, the Orkney-Caithness connection project now moves into its construction phase, with full energisation anticipated in 2028.
