News / Subsea power cable consultations
A SERIES of consultations will be held later this month in Shetland to gather the public’s views on plans to service the isles’ energy needs through a subsea cable from the Scottish mainland.
Events will be hosted by energy regulator Ofgem in Lerwick, Yell and Brae on 16 and 17 August.
Operator Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) confirmed in June that a 60MW subsea cable is likely to be laid between Caithness and Scalloway to replace the Lerwick power station.
If approval is granted, the new system is expected to be up and running by the end of 2020, with the power station operational until it is ready.
However, Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said it was a “disastrous policy” which could lead to 25 job losses.
The proposal would be undertaken by National Grid Shetland Link Ltd and partner Aggreko UK Ltd and it would see a back-up generator stationed in Lerwick in case of any problems with the cable.
Lerwick power station was built in 1953 and as it is coming close to the end of its operational life, SSEN was asked by Ofgem to tender for a replacement.
The project is separate to the proposed 600MW interconnector cable to export renewable energy from Shetland to the national grid.
Representatives from Ofgem, SSEN, National Grid Shetland Link Ltd and Aggreko UK Ltd will be at August’s public consultations.
Two events will take place at the Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick on 16 August, with the first being held between 1pm and 3pm and the second scheduled for 5pm-7pm.
On 17 August there will be a consultation at the Yell Leisure Centre from 9am to 11am, while there will also be a meeting at the North Mainland Leisure Centre in Brae on the same day between 2pm and 4pm.
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