Council / SSEN set to install cabling solely on public roads for North Mainland project
SSEN Distribution has revised its plans for the next phase of Shetland’s North Mainland network reinforcement project, which should mean the work is completed more quickly.
However a key change is that cabling between Sullom Voe and Gremista will now solely be installed along public roads.
This means SSEN will no longer route cabling in “off-road” locations, where around 20km of access tracks would need to be installed.
Community information sessions to inform the public of these revised details will be held early next year.
SSEN said the project, which got under way earlier this year and is due to be completed by the end of 2026, will “increase network capacity, thus supporting the installation of low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and EV chargers in customers’ homes”.
It is separate to SSEN Transmission’s proposals for so-called “pylons” in the area in the future.
The North Mainland Reinforcement project will also enable Sullom Voe Terminal, which has its own gas-fired power station, to take electricity from the grid.
A major part of the project is the installation of two new 43km underground cables between Sullom Voe and Gremista.
This has caused significant disruption on roads to the North Mainland for a number of months, including the closure of the Dales Lees road and a series of traffic light set-ups in the Kames as workers install cabling in the carriageway.
Earlier this week Shetland Islands Council said it had given SSEN notices of “defective reinstatements” of four sections of the road in the Kames.
These are between Sand Water and Petta Water on the Lang Kames section, which were reinstated with concrete earlier this year.
Concrete was used because the asphalt batching plant at the Scord Quarry was shut at the time for essential planned maintenance.
Concrete on these sections of road are now being replaced with bitmac.
However it looks like there will be continued traffic disruption given that the revised plans now solely focus on installing cabling along public roads.
Steven Cowie, SSEN Distribution’s project manager, said the revised plans for the project came after “regular evaluations of designs, plans and timetables.
“As planning progressed, our contract partner – OCU Group – commissioned further in-depth studies,” he said.
“These assessed the off-road areas where we’d need to construct access roads as part of the cable installation.
“Water course crossings, soil type, slopes, crossfalls, surface water, peat, general access and the location of other utilities were all considered in great detail.
“As a result of these findings, we’ve revisited our original plans and agreed an alternative with SIC which avoids the construction of approximately 20km of access roads.”
The company said removing the need for major off-road excavations means a lower volume of construction transport and machinery, and less emissions.
It claimed that “lower levels of construction traffic will also benefit local motorists’ journeys”.
SSEN also said the changes to the plans will avoid disturbance or disruption to the habitats of birds and wildlife on Shetland’s sensitive peatlands.
It added: “In keeping with the works that have already been completed, the cable ducting will be installed in 500m sections, with rolling traffic management in place at each section for the safety of road-users and staff working on site”.
Cowie added: “We appreciate the impact that work on the public roads can have on everyone’s day-to-day travel, and I’d like to thank the local community for their patience as we go about this essential project.
“To protect the safety of motorists and our workers, speed restrictions will be in place where we’re working, so I’d advise that people factor in some extra time for their journeys.
“I’d also like to reassure everyone that we’ll continue to have regular discussions with SIC roads to ensure that our work areas are reinstated to a high standard.”
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