SSEN seeks feedback on subsea interconnector cable

A MEETING to discuss the proposed subsea interconnector cable to feed renewable energy from Shetland into the national grid will be held in Lerwick later this month.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is asking electricity developers and other parties interested in the subject to register for the private meeting, which will take place at the Shetland Hotel on 23 May between 9am and 1pm.

A 260 kilometre long high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission link has long been mooted for the isles to allow projects like the proposed Viking Energy and Beaw Field wind farms to export energy.

A proposed 200MW wind farm west of Cullivoe in Yell is currently in the pre-application scoping stage.

After years of little movement on the subject, SSEN said that following the recent decision to allow remote island wind projects to compete for subsidy in the next Contracts For Difference (CfD) auction, it was prepared to “taking forward proposals to provide a transmission connection to the main GB transmission system”.

This is subject to developer commitment which is likely to depend on the successful award of a CfD or some other form of policy support or route to market, the company added.

The economics of the link is due to be discussed in a needs case submission to Ofgem as part of the regulatory approval process, which is expected to be submitted in the autumn.

The current timeline could see construction start in 2020 with the cable either been completed in 2023 or 2024.

Project manager for the Shetland link Daryn Lucas said: “SSEN remains fully committed to taking forward proposals to provide a transmission connection, subject to developer commitment, regulatory approval and planning consent.

“Customer feedback will be vital throughout the development process and as we gather evidence to shape a needs case submission for regulatory scrutiny and approval we welcome all views and input from local stakeholders.”

Anybody wishing to attend the event is required to contact SSEN via this e-mail address: shetland.policy@sse.com.