Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, operating under licence as Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission), has confirmed new plans for an open event in Shetland that will seek feedback on proposals to install a 600MW transmission cable between Weisdale Voe and a landfall north of Wick in Caithness.
Original plans for an event in August had to be postponed after fog disruption at Sumburgh Airport prevented SSEN's team from travelling to Shetland.
The new date for the event is Thursday 27 October between 2pm and 7:30pm at Mareel in Lerwick. Anyone interested in the consultation can also find information online at www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/shetland and submit comments or questions to SSEN's Liaison Manager Neil Anderson on neil.andersonsse.com.
Commenting on the new plans for the consultation event, Mr Anderson said:
"The planned event forms part of pre-application consultation before we finalise and submit an application for the marine licence that is needed to install and operate the proposed transmission cable. The consultation is an opportunity to review the marine cable route corridor; to consider the proposed installation method; and also to explore how we can minimise any potential impacts on other users of the seabed and the marine environment."
"We would like to apologise to anyone who was inconvenienced by the postponement of our original event in August, but we very much look forward to the opportunity to discuss our proposals with all interested parties at Mareel on Thursday 27 October. We would welcome comments either at the event, or via post or email before Friday 11 November 2016."
SHE Transmission is preparing to apply for a marine licence in order to be ready to install the proposed cable if it is required. In order to obtain regulatory approval for the project, it is also making preparations to submit a funding request to industry regulator Ofgem, subject to confirmation of UK Government policy regarding island generators' participation in a future Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction.