Major milestone reached on Orkney Link as drilling works completed at Dounreay

14 July 2026

Completion of horizontal directional drilling at mainland landfall paves the way for future subsea cable installation

Image: The specialist machinery involved in the horizontal directional drilling work at Dounreay. Credit:Peter McCormack & Sons

We have reached a major construction milestone on our flagship Orkney Link Project with the successful completion of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) works at Dounreay, Caithness.

The achievement marks the completion of one of the most complex engineering elements of the project, which will connect Orkney to the national electricity transmission network and support the delivery of clean, renewable energy to and from the islands.

The HDD works involved drilling and installing an 830-metre underground duct from the landfall area at Dounreay to a location beneath the seabed offshore. The duct has been designed to allow the future subsea electricity cable to be pulled ashore without the need for significant disturbance to the coastal environment.

Image: The duct being pushed into position underground, reaching a total of 830m in length. Credit:Peter McCormack & Sons

Completion of the works means that both HDD sections at either end of the future cable route are now in place, following the successful completion of similar works at Warebeth in Orkney last year which were around 1,200m long.

Environmental specialists worked closely with the project team throughout the construction programme, helping to ensure the works could be delivered safely while minimising impacts on sensitive marine and terrestrial environments.

The project also employed innovative construction techniques, including the use of remote-operated excavators to undertake the final subsea section of drilling. This approach enhanced safety for marine construction teams while demonstrating the innovative engineering solutions being used to deliver major electricity infrastructure projects.

Ian Clark, Project Director for the Orkney Link Project at SSEN Transmission, said:

"The completion of horizontal directional drilling at Dounreay represents a huge milestone for the Orkney Link Project and is a testament to the expertise, collaboration and innovation demonstrated by everyone involved.

"This was one of the most complex construction activities on the project and required careful planning to ensure it could be delivered safely while protecting the surrounding environment.

"With both landfall HDD sections now complete, we're another significant step closer to connecting Orkney to the national electricity transmission network, unlocking renewable energy potential and supporting our transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system for our customers in Orkney."

Collaborative effort

The works were delivered by Principal Contractor RJ McLeod, supported by specialist subcontractors OCU Group, Lucion, Kirkwall-based Leask Marine, and HDD specialists Peter McCormack & Sons.

The Orkney Link Project forms part of our programme of network investment to reinforce the electricity transmission system across the north of Scotland and enable the connection of renewable generation needed to support Scotland and the UK's net zero ambitions.

Image: Looking down through the machinery used to install the new duct, where the future subsea cable will make landfall. Credit:Peter McCormack & Sons