Consultation events to take place for new Shetland projects
SSEN Transmission is to hold a series of consultation events in Shetland in October, as it shares detailed proposals for new onshore energy infrastructure including new substations and overhead line connections.
The events follow a recent engagement session that took place in Lerwick, that provided an overview of the company’s plans alongside energy developers whose proposals are driving the need for additional connections and associated infrastructure. The event was held in response to calls for a coordinated view of what future energy projects might mean for the islands.
The next series of SSEN Transmission’s engagement will begin with a statutory consultation event at Voe Public Hall on 6 October, where plans will be shared for the proposed Kergord 2 substation, including routing options between the proposed new site and existing substation at Kergord.
This will give people the opportunity to see the site and route options being considered – including potential technology options for overhead line – and provide views and local insight that can help inform further development and how impact could be minimised.
This will be followed by events taking place at Mossbank Public Hall on 7 October and Burravoe Public Hall in Yell on 8 October, to discuss the proposed Yell subsea connection including proposals for a substation on Yell.
An event will then take place at Brae Community Hall on 9 October which will focus on proposals for a Northern Substation Hub, a key project designed to reduce the amount of infrastructure needed on Mainland Shetland.
While each event is being held to discuss individual projects, SSEN Transmission staff will be on hand to talk about any of the proposals for new infrastructure.
Alan Kelly, Lead Project Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:
"We’re pleased to build on our recent engagement with this series of consultation events taking place in October, where we will be presenting more detailed information on our proposals for new onshore infrastructure, including substations and overhead line connections.
“As the transmission network operator for the north of Scotland we are obliged under the terms of our license to deliver these connections, which are key to enabling offshore wind generation in support of national clean energy and energy security ambitions, while enhancing energy security in Shetland and providing substantial economic benefit through jobs and further investment in local supply chains.
“We will always seek to minimise the impact of our projects as far as reasonably practicable, and our Shetland Strategy has been sensitively developed to avoid the potential for more significant infrastructure – for example, we are using hubs instead of individual circuits for each connection, reducing the number of circuits required.
“Nonetheless we are keen to hear views from the public that can assist us in addressing impacts, and we encourage anyone with an interest in helping us shape our plans to come along to our consultation events and provide their views.”
Shetland consultation event schedule:
|
Location |
Date |
Time |
Focus area |
|
Voe Public Hall |
Monday 6 October |
3-7pm |
Kergord 2 Substation routeing options pre-application consultation (PAC) event |
|
Mossbank Public Hall, Mossbank, ZE2 9RB |
Tuesday 7 October |
3-7pm |
Yell Connections – Marine |
|
Burravoe Public Hall, Burravoe, Yell, ZE2 9QJ |
Wednesday 8 October |
2.45 – 6.45 pm |
Yell substation and connections |
|
Brae Community Hall, Brae, ZE2 9QJ |
Tuesday 9 October |
3-7pm |
Northern Substation Hub and Shetland 2 HVDC Link (including landfalls) |
|
Mossbank Public Hall, Mossbank ZE2 9RB |
Tuesday 4 November |
3-7pm |
Shetland 2 HVDC Link – Marine |