Overview
Status: Project Assessment
About the Project
The aim of this project is to create a new Transmission connection between the existing Kergord Substation and the proposed Northern Substation Hub. This will meet the requirements of existing contracted customers on Shetland and make provision for future projected network users. The scope is proposed to include circuits linking the existing Kergord Substation, and the proposed Northern Substation Hub, along with a new substation along the route. The project is currently in early development, with further details to be shared as we progress.
Why is the Project Required?
Facilitate the interconnection of the two HVDC links (1st 600MW link and 2nd 1800MW link) to maximise available capacity on both HVDC systems throughout each year.
Provide a Shetland mainland transmission corridor from a substation in the north of the Shetland mainland (near Scatsta airport / Sullom Voe O&G terminal) – to accommodate the connection from Yell, nearby demand, ScotWind and the 2nd HVDC link) to the existing Kergord 132kV substation (located towards the centre of the Shetland mainland where the first HVDC link and Gremista GSP connects into).
Virtual Consultation Room
This online consultation space has been created to provide an additional way for people to view information about the project and share their feedback. It contains the same materials that are available at our in-person consultation events, allowing anyone who is unable to attend in person to access the information at a time that suits them.
The virtual consultation room will remain available throughout the consultation period. We encourage you to take the time to review the information provided and let us know your thoughts before the feedback deadline on 21 August.
Interactive Maps
Ahead of the site and route option consultation in Nov 25, our Environmental Consultants, ERM, created a story map where you can find our more information on the project including interactive maps.
Community Engagement
Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with local communities and keep people informed about what we are doing. This is particularly important when we are developing a proposal and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.
We endeavour to take the time to discuss proposals with local community councils, encourage engagement from the wider community and listen to the feedback we receive.
We will do our best to answer any questions and address issues or concerns that are raised with us.
When our project progresses into construction, we will continue working closely with the local community to ensure that our work has as little impact on the lives of those living and working in the area and as many long term positive effects as possible.
How we’re embracing artificial intelligence (AI)
We intend to use AI to assist our experienced teams in the analysis of your feedback, so we can categorise key points raised more quickly. You can learn more about how we’re utilising AI on this dedicated web page.
Project Updates
Featured updates
Featured updates for this project
SSEN Transmission publishes new economic analysis highlighting transformative growth potential of £29bn grid investment programme
Upcoming Consultation Events
Project updates
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SSEN Transmission publishes new economic analysis highlighting transformative growth potential of £29bn grid investment programme
We have today published a new economic report setting out the significant economic benefits associated with our planned £29bn investment in new and upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across the north of Scotland.
The report, titled ‘Re‑energising the North: Transforming Scotland’, provides an update on our previously outlined economic analysis on plans to invest billions in mission-critical grid infrastructure, providing further insight into the scale of economic opportunity associated with the investment programme.
The report reaffirms our programme as one of the largest private infrastructure investments in Scotland’s history, with around £29bn of planned investment across the north of Scotland in the next five years, and it details the extent of the economic opportunity across the region.Using advanced economic modelling to analyse the impact of clean power infrastructure investment, the report’s findings conclude that our investment:
- Will support up to 10,000 jobs in the north of Scotland, and 24,000 across Scotland;
- When added to investment by other transmission operators and investment in generation will add around £60bn to UK economic output - with the Scottish economy up to 3% larger over the long term;
- Will deliver long-term improvements in productivity, wages and economic resilience, with employees moving into higher-value roles and key sectors expanding permanently; and
- Will create unique opportunities for Scottish suppliers, businesses and communities across multiple sectors, including forestry, peatland restoration, aggregates and concrete too.
The findings highlight the importance of ensuring that the benefits of investment are felt locally, with thousands of skilled jobs, increased supply chain activity, and investment flowing into communities across the north of Scotland.
Read the full News and Views article to find out more.
Upcoming Consultation Events
We will be holding a series of consultation events in Shetland from the end of June as we share updated proposals for our development projects.
The events, taking place from Monday 29 June 2026 to Thursday 2 July 2026 inclusive, follow previous consultation activity last year where plans were introduced for new substations and overhead line connections.
Since the last round of consultation events, the proposals have been refined to balance feedback received from communities with technical and environmental considerations, this includes introducing the potential for undergrounding sections of the overhead line around the Voe area.
This phase of engagement will begin with an information session at Mossbank Hall on Monday 29 June 2026, where an update will be provided on the location of the Northern Hub, a key project providing connections to the Shetland HVDC Link 2 and other renewable energy developments.
A statutory pre-application consultation event will follow at Voe Hall on Tuesday 30 June 2026, presenting proposed plans for the newly-named Hamarigrind substation (previously known as Kergord 2) and the preferred overhead line alignment between the existing Kergord substation and the proposed Northern Hub.
Further consultation events will take place on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at Mid Yell Hall and Burravoe Hall to discuss proposals for a substation on Yell and the Energy Isles Wind Farm connection, which is proposed to be a trident wooden pole overhead line.
Finally, information events will be held on Thursday 2 July 2026 at Brae Hall and Hillswick Hall to share details of current landfall options for the proposed Shetland HVDC Link 2.
The consultation events come as we move forward with ground investigation activity at Toft, which is a potential site for the Northern Hub. These are low-impact surveys carried out to help understand site conditions. Meanwhile, marine surveys will continue to explore potential landfall sites in Braewick and at Islesburgh for the subsea cable to Shetland to come ashore.
Schedule of events for w/b 29 June 2026:
Monday 29 June 2026
3-7pm in Mossbank Public Hall, Mossbank, Shetland, ZE2 9RB
Northern Hub information session
Download Northern Hub information booklet and Feedback Form
Tuesday 30 June 2026
3-8pm in Voe Public Hall, Isles Road, Voe, ZE2 9PT
Hamarigrind substation consultation event (PAC1) and Kergord to Northern Hub Overhead Line alignment consultation event (PAC2)
Download Hamarigrind substation consultation booklet and Feedback Form
Download Kergord to Northern Hub Overhead Line consultation booklet and Feedback Form
Wednesday 01 July 2026
1-5pm in Mid Yell Hall, Yell, ZE2 9BN
6-8pm in Burravoe Hall, Yell, ZE2 9BA
Yell substation consultation event (PAC1) and Energy Isles Wind Farm Connection Overhead Line alignment consultation event (PAC2)
Note: the same materials will be shared at both Yell events.
Download Yell substation consultation booklet and Feedback Form
Download Energy Isles Wind Farm Connection Overhead Line consultation booklet and Feedback Form
Download Yell marine cable information booklet and Feedback Form
Thursday 02 July 2026
11am-1pm in Brae Hall, ZE2 9QJ
3-7pm in Hillswick Hall, ZE2 9RW
Shetland HVDC Link 2 landfall information session
Note: the same materials will be shared at both landfall events.
Download Shetland HVDC Link 2 landfall information booklet and Feedback Form
For more information, please contact shetlandengagement@sse.com. -
Upcoming public consultation event
The proposed development is for: High Voltage Alternating Current (AC) connection from existing Kergord 132kV Substation to proposed 220kV Northern Substation Hub and associated works.
Members of the local community and other interested members of the public are invited to attend the following consultation event (Public Event 1, Route Assessment) relating to the proposal described above to be held on:
Monday 06 October 2025 at Voe Public Hall, Isles Road, Voe, Shetland, ZE2 9PT 3pm to 7pm
Details of further consultation (Public Event 2, Feedback Event and Alignment) will be published in due course.
This event is an opportunity to view the proposals and to meet the applicant and the project teams who will be available to answer questions about the development.
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