Overview
Status: Operational Phase
About the Project
The project consists of:
- A high voltage direct current (HVDC) link, including approximately 260km of cabling - all but 10km of which will be in the North Sea
- A 320/132kV substation and HVDC converter station at Upper Kergord, Shetland
- A HVDC switching station necessary to facilitate connection to the existing transmission system at Noss Head, Caithness
Find Out More About Caithness HVDC Switching Station
Why is the Project Required?
The Shetland HVDC link was approved in 2020, following a 10-year development journey. It will connect Shetland to the GB transmission system for the first time, unlocking Shetland’s renewable potential, decarbonising Shetland’s energy supply and supporting its future energy needs. Once completed in 2024, the link will enable the connection of the 443MW Viking Wind Farm to the GB grid and will play a key role in supporting the transition to net zero emissions.
Why HVDC?
High voltage direct current technology offers the most efficient means of transmitting large amount of power over long distances, supporting and improving the sustainability and efficiency of power supply systems.
NKT Victoria (cable laying vessel) in the Wesidale Voe
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 project and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.
We endeavour to take the time to discuss our proposals with local community councils and the wider affected community and to carry out engagement at key stages, listening to feedback before finalising project plans.
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
Project updates
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We're here to lend a helping hand
We are committed to supporting the communities in the north of Scotland where we operate, both now and in the future. As part of our ongoing efforts to make a difference and have a positive impact on local communities, we are proud to offer volunteering days to local groups and charities, particularly in the areas that host our electricity infrastructure or where our proposed projects are located.
This month, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Volunteering Webpage, designed to make it easier for local communities to request volunteering support from us. To request our help, simply complete the ‘Volunteering Nomination Form’ linked at the bottom of our new webpage. Please note, as our team works on a voluntary basis, it may take us some time to coordinate our people and match them with opportunities. We kindly ask for your patience as we work to keep up with volunteering demand.
Thank you for considering SSEN Transmission as a partner in your community efforts. Together, we can leave a positive, lasting legacy and help transform communities across the north of Scotland.
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WATCH: View SSEN Transmission’s webinar called ‘Overground, underground, or subsea - how decisions are made on where electricity transmission lines go’
This week SSEN Transmission hosted a webinar to outline the differences behind technology options which will help transform the electricity grid in the north of Scotland in the journey to net zero.
The webinar, titled ‘Overground, underground, or subsea - how decisions are made on where electricity transmission lines go’, explore topics such as the comparison between the different transmission technologies and the complexities and challenges that come with transporting the huge amount of renewable energy being generated across the country to where it is needed.
Watch the full webinar within News and Views. Video length is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. -
Energisation of Shetland HVDC Link and Substation
On the 12th of August 2024, Shetland HVDC link and substation officially energised and was handed over to the Energy Supply Operator (ESO). The new substation and link will facilitate the connection of 443MW new clean renewable energy to the grid from the Viking Energy Windfarm. The energisation of the site marks just over 4 years of hard work for SSEN Transmission and their principal contractors, a consortium of BAM Nuttall, Hitachi Energy and Siemens BAM, to bring the substation online. Now energised, the substation forms part of SSEN Transmission’s reinforcement and improvement of the transmission network in the North of Scotland, enabling renewable generation to be transported from where it is generated to centres of demand across the country. -
National Grid ESO publish 'Beyond 2030' report
Please click here to read more.
SSEN Transmission supports Shetland Celebrations of STEM for second year
SSEN Transmission and SSE Renewables are looking forward to taking part in an educational day of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) activities at the Shetland Museum in Lerwick on Wednesday 8 May.
The interactive event which has been organised by Prosper will involve local schools taking part in STEM challenges with representatives from various local businesses on hand to provide advice and guidance.
Over the course of the day, pupils will be asked to get involved in a fictional scenario called The Power Path Challenge, which involves building a marble run to represent a subsea cable transferring electricity from renewable sources, just like a giant undersea extension cord!
Schools that take part will be provided with free kits to enable them to build a model which will be tested on the day. The winning team will receive a trophy and £50 to spend on STEM supplies.
SSEN Transmission and SSE Renewables are committed to working with young people to help inspire and develop the future workforce and provide a pathway for school leavers into the wider energy sector.
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Shetland Newsletter Issue 12
The twelfth project newsletter is now available to be downloaded by clicking here. This newsletter is a joint publication with SSE Renewables and provides all interested parties with an insight into how the project activities are progressing. -
Second set of transformer units arrive
The final two transformer units for the Shetland HVDC link arrived in Lerwick harbour earlier this week and the SSEN Transmission team had them successfully delivered to their final location at Kergord. With the deliveries setting off from the Greenhead base in Lerwick at 10:30pm, they took around 2 hours to carefully deliver to site. -
Shetland firm awarded multimillion pound contract on Shetland HVDC link project
Along with our principal contractor for the manufacture and installation of the Shetland link HVDC subsea cable, NKT, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Shetland based civil and marine engineering firm Tulloch Developments, to deliver the civil engineering works for the Shetland HVDC link onshore cable installation. The multimillion pound contract will see Tulloch Developments deliver all the cable installation civil engineering works from where the cable makes land fall in Shetland to the new switching station at Kergord. The works will include the creation of haul roads, new access points, local road improvements and the cable transportation. -
Contract Awards
SSEN Transmission has appointed the main contractors for the construction of the Shetland HVDC link and all associated infrastructure. The major contract awards follows the recent decision by the energy regulator, Ofgem, to grant final approval for the transmission link, with everything now in place for the start of main construction in late August. Global marine cable solution provider, NKT, will be responsible for the manufacture and installation of the subsea cable; with BAM Nuttall delivering all civil engineering works, including the construction of all buildings; and leading HVDC technology provider, Hitachi ABB Power Grids, delivering and commissioning the HVDC system. -
Approval of Shetland transmission link
SSEN Transmission welcomes today’s decision by Ofgem to approve the 600MW HVDC transmission link connecting Shetland to the GB mainland. -
Ground Investigation Works Completed
The Ground Investigation Works carried out on our behalf by our civils contractor BAM RItchies and local firm Frank L John (Shetland) Ltd. have now been completed. We would like to thank local community members for their patience whilst the traffic management enabling these works to take place was implemented. The temporary site area has now been demobilised and removed. -
Ground Investigation Works
SSEN Transmission is set to begin a programme of ground investigations along the proposed onshore cable route from Weisdale Voe to the site of the Kergord Converter Station. As part of the Shetland HVDC Connection project, the work will be undertaken by specialist contractor BAM Ritchies and local firm Frank L John (Shetland) Ltd. The works will begin on 28 October and will last for approximately four weeks, dependent on weather.Ground investigation works are a key part of the project development process and the results of these investigations will provide the project with valuable information to help inform the final design of the proposed onshore cable route, which connects the proposed subsea cable and converter station elements of the project. -
Marine Licence Consultation Response Events
In July 2019, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission held two consultationevents in Lerwick and Wick to consult on our plans to install a subseaHVDC cable between Weisdale Voe on Shetland and Noss Head inCaithness as part of the wider Shetland HVDC connection project.Prior to submitting an application for a marine license to MarineScotland and an application for a marine works license to ShetlandIslands Council, we will be holding two additional events to presentresponses to comments received during our consultaton. 08 Oct 2019 - Sound Public Hall, Lerwick - 4.30pm - 7.30pm. 10 Oct 2019 - Wick Assembly Rooms, Caithness - 4.30 - 7.30pm. We welcome all local stakeholders and interested parties to attend ouropen-door events and meet with the project team to discuss our plans.For more information, please come along to an event. If you areunable to attend an event, further information is also available from theproject webpage or can be obtained via the project Community LiaisonManager -
Consultation Close
SHE Transmission would like to extend thanks to those who took the time to attend either our Wick or Lerwick marine licence consultation events last month to find our more about our proposals. The consultation period closes this Friday 23rd August and we will be now taking the opportunity to collate and review all feedback recieved ahead of preparing to submit our application for a HVDC cable between Weisdale Voe on Shetland and Noss Head in Wick, Caithness later this year. -
Marine License Consultation Events
We are holding public consultation events regarding proposals toinstall a subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable between Weisdale Voe in Shetland and Noss Head near Wick in Caithness to enable the connection of renewable energy on Shetland. The events will be held as follows: Tuesday23 July 2019Wick Community Campus(Wick High School)15:00 - 19:30 and Thursday25 July 2019MareelLerwick, Shetland15:00 - 19:30.We would like to extend an invitation to local people andinterested parties to attend our open-door events to discuss ourplans with the project team and to let us know their views prior to asubmission of a marine licence application to Marine Scotland. As part of the Caithness Moray project marine safety initiative, we have a number of copies of the UKHO chart of the Moray firth that will be available to local boat owners on a first come basisFor more information and to provide comment, please come alongto an event. If you are unable to attend an event, further informationis also available from the project webpage or can be obtained via the project Community Liaison Manager. -
Subsea Surveys
We have recently completed a detailed geophysical and geotechnical survey of a Subsea route between Wick in the North East of Scotland and the Shetland Isles. The survey, conducted by our survey contractor MMT, utilised several vessels working in harsh North Sea winter conditions to deliver high quality data on the 253km long route and elements such as seabed features, sub-bottom conditions and soil analysis. The information from the study will be used to inform a Marine Licence Application for a subsea cable which will be submitted to Marine Scotland later this year, following public consultation events due to be held in both Wick and Lerwick this Spring. -
Shetland Renewables Supply Chain Event
Last week, representatives from our development team supported a renewables focused supply chain event and networking lunch organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in Lerwick. Around 80 representatives from local businesses attended the event to find out further information about the expected economic and social opportunities that proposed renewable projects could bring to Shetland should developers be successful in bidding into next year’s CfD auction. We welcomed the opportunity to engage with attendees and answer questions regarding the needs case process and would encourage all local contractors who are interested in potential opportunities with SSEN to sign up for project updates on our Shetland webpage. -
HVDC Cable Tender
SHE Transmission has now begun the tendering process to appoint a cable supplier for the land and subsea HVDC element of the project. Industry leading suppliers were provided with the opportunity to bid for the contract to both supply and install the 600MW cable. The tendering process involves site visits to both Caithness and Shetland, so that potential contractors can assess how the cable will be installed and subsequently costed whilst also identifying any potential challenges and solutions to the installation.This process will continue throughout this year with the aim of having project costs available for submission to Ofgem in January 2019. -
Customer Engagement Event
On 23 May, SSEN held a customer engagement event at the Shetland Hotel designed to update stakeholders on the proposed HVDC connection project and the process involved for securing regulatory approval. This forum also afforded developers an opportunity to update SSEN on their plans for projects that may come forward as a result of the proposed connection to the Scottish Mainland. Developers interested in attending the event were encouraged to contact SSEN to confirm their place in advance and the event was well attended with 35 attendees joining the team in discussion.Key themes and issues which emerged from the discussions included the future security of demand on Shetland, with many attendees raising questions in regards to this. The team explained that Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) have identified that with targeted investment, security of supply can be maintained through the existing power station out to 2025 when a more enduring solution will be required. SHEPD has confirmed its allowance requirements to Ofgem for the extension period, and Ofgem is currently consulting on the allowances. In the meantime, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission will continue to progress the case for a transmission link based on the contracted requirements of generators. SSEN were also afforded the opportunity to further test the principles of the alternative approach applied in Orkney on the issues faced by generators in Shetland. Overall, attendees welcomed the principles of ensuring that projects that are ready to connect can access available capacity on the network and welcomed further opportunity to engage on the detail of these proposals; setting out their ambition to take forward generation development should the capacity become available. SSEN will be consulting on the ‘alternative approach’ later in the summer (when more details will be shared via this website) and encourages all parties that are considering development to update us via a Notice of Interest form by close of play 30 June.A number of attendees from Local Suppliers also joined the event to find out more about engaging in any supply chain opportunities that may arise. Whilst the event was primarily focussed on generation activity, the project team are considering holding a ‘meet the buyer’ event in 2019 once the SSEN tender process is concluded due to the high level of local supply chain interest. In the meantime, interested local suppliers can register on SSE’s online procurement portal, Open4Business, for future tender opportunities. Details about the portal can be found here: https://www.sseopen4business-highlands.com/Information slides shown at the event are available to download from the ‘Project Documents’ tab. -
Team Site Visit - February 2018
Having recently introduced some fresh faces to our Shetland Project Team, we arranged a site visit earlier this week to introduce ourselves and to provide an update to local stakeholders, Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale Community Council and our colleagues in Operations based in Lerwick Power Station. We also took the opportunity to revisit the planned substation location at Upper Kergord, the proposed subsea cable landing point at Weisdale Voe and our engineers took full advantage of the sunny weather by walking the planned cable route between the two. If you would like a copy of the project update presented this week please see the 'Project Documentation' tab for a download of the Power Point. -
Consultation on treatment of non-mainland GB onshore wind projects
We have today responded to the UK Government consultation on treatment of non-mainland GB onshore wind projects, to read our response please go to the ‘Project documentation’ section of the project website
Documents
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SSEN Transmission 2nd Shetland Webinar 2024.pdf
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- Date:
- 26 July 2024
- Size:
- 2.4 MB
This is a presentation from our 27 June 2024 webinar on the project.
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Shetland Future Energy Ambitions Webinar 7th July 2023
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- Date:
- 21 September 2023
- Size:
- 3 MB
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Weisdale Voe residents mail drop - August 2023
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- Date:
- 15 September 2023
- Size:
- 145.5 KB
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Latest Shetland Newsletter
- Type:
- Date:
- 15 September 2023
- Size:
- 6 MB
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Converter Building Drawing - North and South
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 624.8 KB
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Landscape Detailing and Visualisation
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.3 MB
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Marine License Consultation Event 2019
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.3 MB
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Marine License Consultation Response Update 2019
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1 MB
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Marine License Event 2019 - Info Boards
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 5.1 MB
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Marine Stakeholder Forum 28/01/2021
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 1.8 MB
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Proposed Land Cable Route
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- Date:
- 16 September 2022
- Size:
- 2.8 MB
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