As the electricity distribution network operator for the north of Scotland, our network covers some of the UK's most remote locations, including the vast majority of Scotland's inhabited islands. For many years, in some cases over half a century, we have provided electricity to fifty-nine Scottish islands via submarine cables that connect these islands to the electricity network that serves mainland Great Britain, keeping the lights on for homes and businesses in our remote island communities.

As these submarine cables come to the end of their operational life, we need to make arrangements to replace them to ensure a reliable electricity supply to Scotland's islands.

The recent introduction of Scotland's National Marine Plan (2015) means that we may need to change the way that we install new or replacement cables within the marine environment. To help us determine how we will do this moving forward, we are committed to consult with all parties who have an interest in how these cables are installed, from the customers who rely on the electricity to keep the lights on to the marine users who may be impacted.

A six week consultation will launch in Orkney next week to gather feedback and understand people's views on the installation designs and methods we are proposing for the following submarine electricity cable routes;

  • Mainland Orkney to Shapinsay;
  • Rousay to Westray; and
  • Shapinsay to Stronsay.

The valuable feedback provided during the previous round of consultation events we held across Orkney last summer has been considered in the designs that will be presented.

The consultation runs until 18 April 2017 and will provide individuals the opportunity to feedback views on any environmental, social and economic impacts the submarine electricity cables might have.

We are keen to secure the thoughts of all interested parties on how we replace these submarine cables, as laying or protecting can have different impacts. We would therefore encourage anyone with an interest in this to come along to our consultation events in the following locations:

  • 14/03/2017 Kirkwall, St Magnus Centre, 10am until 4pm
  • 14/03/2017 Westray, Hofn Youth Centre, 12pm until 2pm
  • 14/03/2017 Stronsay, Stronsay Fishmart, 1pm until 3pm
  • 15/03/2017 Kirkwall, St Magnus Centre, 10am until 4pm
  • 15/03/2017 Shapinsay, Shapinsay Community School, 12pm until 2pm
  • 16/03/2017 Rousay, Rousay Community School, 12pm until 2 pm

Anybody interested in attending an event or responding in writing can find more details on our website (/submarinecables/).