Energy / Consultation events on second HVDC cable and Yell transmission project
PEOPLE are being invited to have their say on new proposed subsea electricity transmission connections in Shetland – including a second HVDC link to the Scottish mainland – at three events next week.
The consultation event on a proposed second HVDC link will take place at the Brae hall on Tuesday (24 June) from 3.30pm to 7pm.
Developer SSEN Transmission said this event will give information on indicative cable route options that “take account of current fisheries and marine operations and sites of interest”.
It will also share information on potential cable landfall locations in Shetland’s North Mainland.
The first subsea HVDC cable between Shetland and the Scottish mainland went live last year, linking the isles to the national grid to the first time and offering the 103-turbine Viking wind farm an export route – as well as allowing power to come to Shetland, once the necessary infrastructure is in place here.
But with other developments on the horizon, such as two offshore wind farms to the east of Shetland, a second cable – three times larger in capacity at 1.8GW – is being proposed.
There is also hydrogen production proposed at Scatsta and Sullom Voe Terminal, and possible electrification of west of Shetland oil and gas assets.
Like the infrastructure at Kergord for the first HVDC cable, there stands to be sizeable onshore infrastructure near to where the second cable makes landfall.
This includes a new HVDC converter station and a 400kV AC substation.
There are three indicative areas highlighted as possible landfall areas; they are all in the North Mainland, in the Brae, Sullom Voe and Mossbank areas.
There are hopes from SSEN that a second HVDC cable could be energised by 2035.
Meanwhile, two other events are taking place to share information and invite comments on the proposed Yell High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) connection, which will connect the island of Yell to the expanded electricity transmission system on mainland Shetland.
The first event will take place at Burravoe hall in Yell on Wednesday (25 June) from 2pm to 6.45pm. There will be another one at the Voe hall on Thursday (26 June), from 2pm to 7pm.
Two proposed onshore wind farms in Yell have planning consent, with new infrastructure needed to allow them to export energy via the Shetland mainland.
There stands to be a new substation in Yell to connect the Energy Isles and Beaw Field wind farms, as well as subsea cable to the Shetland mainland. Estimates suggest construction could begin after 2028.
Alan Kelly, lead project manager from SEN Transmission, said: “We are at the early stages of development for the proposed Shetland 2 HVDC Link and Yell HVAC connection, however we are keen to share our initial plans on the marine elements of each project and invite feedback that can help shape our approach.
“For each project this means we are inviting views on potential marine cable routes, as well as sharing broad information on landfall locations, so that we can refine our plans in a way that considers public and stakeholder feedback which is a key aspect of our project development process.
“We have already been engaging with key stakeholder groups such as Shetland Fishermen’s Association and Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation, however we are keen to speak to others with knowledge of local waters that could help inform our approach – for example those involved in fishing and shipping operations, or groups dedicated to protecting local wildlife and marine assets.
“By speaking to us, you can help shape our plans ahead of further consultation events that will take place later this year, where we will be able to share more information on each of these important projects.”
More information on the second HVDC link event can be found here, while details of the Yell project is online here.
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