New overhead power lines planned for Yell
NEARLY 20km of new overhead power lines are being proposed in Yell.
The 132kV transmission line would run between a new switching station north of Burravoe, and the Energy Isles wind farm in the northwest of the island – both projects which have yet to begin construction.
It would allow the planned 18-turbine wind farm to export power by linking it to the new switching station.
SSEN Transmission is now starting the consents process with the Scottish Government for the overhead lines in Yell.
A screening request document highlights that SSEN Transmission is proposing a mix of new overhead and underground cables in Yell.
The ‘trident H’ power lines would be similar to the ones being currently constructed on Shetland’s central mainland, which will initially cater for power coming from the Viking Energy wind farm.
Construction on the Yell overhead lines is anticipated to start in July 2027 with completion in October the following year.
The developer said from north to south the overhead lines would run parallel to the A968 from Dalsetter, following the road south, before turning southeast around the Mid Yell voe, to follow the B9081 towards Mid Yell.
After Mid Yell, the route continues south towards the proposed Yell switching station, north of Burravoe.
SSEN said the switching station will act as a connector and will enable Energy Isles and Yell’s other consented wind farm Beaw Field to connect onto a 132kV network, supply Shetland demand and export to the Scottish mainland electricity network.
“This is more efficient than taking the Energy Isles and Beaw Field connections back separately to Kergord. It will also be available to connect future developments on South Yell,” the developer said.
SSEN Transmission said it undertook a series of route and alignment selection studies regarding the Yell overhead lines, which included stakeholder and public consultation.
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The developer has now requested an environmental impact assessment screening opinion.
SSEN’s intention is to also run a subsea cable from the new Yell switching station to the Shetland mainland, with overhead and underground lines then expected to run to Kergord.
Located at Kergord is the HVDC converter station, which will support the process of power from Shetland being delivered to the Scottish mainland through the new subsea transmission link, which is set to be energised later this year.
The power line work between Lerwick and Kergord which is taking place at the moment will enable a new grid supply point near the town’s power station to connect Shetland to the national grid for the first time.
It will also enable the supply point to effectively be linked to power from the Viking Energy wind farm, enabling local demand to be supplied from renewable wind generation.
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