Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is hosting a series of public consultation events on Orkney to seek feedback from the Orkney community as it continues to take forward its proposed transmission connection from Orkney to the Scottish mainland.

The events will take place at the following locations:

  • Mon 30 April - The Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, 14:00 - 19:00
  • Tue 1 May - Harray Community Centre, Harray, 14:00 - 19:00
  • Wed 2 May - Bellevue Hotel, St Margaret's Hope, 14:00 - 19:00
  • Thu 3 May - North Walls Community School, Hoy, 11:00 - 15:00

The proposed reinforcement is required to connect new renewable electricity generation across Orkney, with the latest round of consultation focussed on the onshore infrastructure required for the connections.

The consultation sets out SSEN's preferred route corridors, which it has split into two parts; the north and south sections.

The north section would see new onshore 132kV transmission infrastructure installed between Finstown and Ellibister; between Ellibister and Rendall; and between Ellibister and Costa Head.

The south section would see a combination of new onshore and subsea 132kV transmission infrastructure installed between Finstown and St Mary's; between St Mary's and South Ronaldsay; between Hesta Head and South Ronaldsay; between South Ronaldsay and Hoxa Head; between Hoxa Head and Rinnigill; and between Rinnigill and Melsetter.

The proposed route corridors have been identified based on a balance of economic, environmental and technical considerations, with the routes also seeking to avoid close proximity to residential properties where possible.

During a previous round of public consultation in February 2017, SSEN presented a range of technology options that could be used to connect renewable projects to the proposed substation at Finstown. Based on the feedback received from the local community, SSEN has decided it will not be considering steel pylons and instead, is proposing using wood poles. There is also the potential that underground cabling may be required in places such as the entrance into substations, where a line passes through environmentally sensitive areas or where it passes through more built up areas.

Substations will be required at each generation site, with each renewable generator responsible for securing the necessary planning consents for this which SSEN's infrastructure will connect to. There will also be a requirement for two switching stations, one near Ellibister, north of Finstown, and the other on South Ronaldsay, to the south of St Margaret's Hope. There are a few different technical options for these switching stations which SSEN is currently considering and will consult on in the Autumn.

Commenting on the proposed reinforcement and consultation events, SSEN's Project Manager, Duncan McCall, said:

"As a responsible developer, we are determined to work closely with the local community throughout every stage of the development process."

"We have already committed not to use steel pylons following direct feedback from the local community and we are committed to consider all feedback received as we further develop and refine our proposals."

"We would encourage anyone with an interest in the project to come along to one of the consultation events to meet our team and make their views known."

In November 2017 SSEN consulted on its proposed substation location at Finstown and the subsea cable from Orkney to the Scottish mainland. Its proposal would see a new indoor substation located at Finstown with an underground cable installed to connect this to Warebeth/Billia Croo to the west of Stromness on the Orkney mainland. This would then connect to a subsea cable, connecting to Dounreay in Caithness, allowing electricity from Orkney to be transmitted to areas of demand across the main GB transmission system.

Further consultation is planned over the Summer and Autumn on the various components of the project in advance of submitting planning applications to the relevant planning authorities, the Scottish Government, Marine Scotland and Orkney Islands Council.

The progression of the project is subject to all necessary planning consents and securing regulatory approval from industry regulator Ofgem.

For more information on the proposed Orkney transmission reinforcement, including the timeline for the project, please visit http://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney/.