Replacement needed for power cable between Mossbank and Yell

A NEW electricity cable could be laid undersea between Mossbank and Yell following a fault on one of the two existing links last year.

There are two power cables that run between Mossbank and Yell.

However, a fault was identified on one of the cables – which was installed in 2009 – in May last year.

Previous survey information showed that there was outer coating damage and armour corrosion throughout much of the length of the cable.

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) has applied for planning consent for a new four kilometre, 33kV subsea cable as its replacement.

Cable installation is planned for summer 2025.

Although the exact cable route has not yet been determined, SHEPD said it will connect to the existing network tie-in points in Mossbank and Yell.

A new cable was laid between the Shetland mainland and Papa Stour in September of last year.
Photo: SSEN Distribution

A new cable was laid between the Shetland mainland and Papa Stour in September of last year.
Photo: SSEN Distribution

Following the fault, the network was reconfigured to supply Yell, Unst and Fetlar via the remaining cable, while mobile back-up generation was also deployed to the islands.

SHEPD has decided to replace the cable entirely instead of repairing it due to the condition of the link and the low likelihood of repairs being successful.

“There is a high probability that even if a repair is successful, a failure may occur within the next three to five years,” a planning statement said.

It comes after a new cable had to be laid between the mainland and Papa Stour on the west of Shetland following a fault.