Energy / Initial routing options revealed for new overhead power lines
OPTIONS for the possible routing of new overhead power lines in the central and north mainland of Shetland have been revealed.
The overhead lines would run from Kergord to near Sullom Voe Terminal.
As previously reported, they could be larger than the new poles which run from Tingwall to Sandwater, and have been described by some as “pylons”.
An image of possible routing has been released on Shetland Islands Council’s planning portal ahead of a public consultation event next month.
There are three routing opens shown; the first runs from the Kergord/Sandwater area past Voe and then turns left, essentially following the A970 towards Brae.
From there the overhead lines would head towards the Voxter and Scatsta area.
A second routing option sees the lines head past Voe but go north on land in between Brae and the Dales Lees road before finishing up near Sullom Voe Terminal.
A final routing option heads up past Voe and then largely follows the route of the Dales Lees road.
The lines would connect into a planned large new 2GW northern substation hub in the Sullom Voe/Scatsta area.
This hub would facilitate future projects like a second HVDC subsea cable to the Scottish mainland, and offshore wind east of Shetland as well as Statkraft’s hydrogen/ammonia plans at Scatsta.
The new overhead lines would link the new northern hub to the existing power infrastructure at Kergord – via a new substation.
There will be a public consultation event at the Voe Hall on Monday 6 October between 3pm and 7pm where the Kergord to northern substation hub routing options will be explored.
Also at this meeting people will be able to hear more about the “Kergord 2” substation site selection.
Meanwhile surveys could take over the next five years for a proposed subsea cable between Yell and the north mainland which would allow two proposed wind farms on the island to export power.
Power from Statkraft’s Energy Isles and Beaw Field wind farms would connect into the northern substation hub.
Documents lodged with Marine Scotland said marine surveys are needed for SSEN Transmission to gather data on the condition and profile of the seabed, as well as the benthic environment.
While the surveys are scheduled to take place over the next five years, the total estimated duration of activity is only up to six months.
Documents say that survey activities will be “undertaken in distinct campaigns of up to 40 days in duration in each year”.
There will also be public consultation events regarding the Yell connections next month.
These will take place at the Mossbank Hall on 7 October between 3pm and 7pm, and at the Burravoe hall in Yell the next day from 2.45pm to 6.45pm.
Folk can also hear more about the northern substation hub project at the Brae Hall on 9 October between 3pm and 7pm, and the second HVDC link at an event at the Mossbank hall on 4 November – also between 3pm and 7pm.
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