GROUND has been broken on the build of a new electricity substation which will help connect Orkney to the GB electricity transmission network for the first time.
Representatives from the Orkney-Caithness 220kV Subsea Link project at SSEN Transmission and their principal contractors, BAM and Siemens Energy, came together to turn the first ceremonial spadefuls of earth, which marks the official start of construction in Orkney.
Breaking ground at Finstown Substation is a ‘major step forward’ for the project, with the facility set to serve as the main transmission electricity hub in the islands. At an estimated investment of more than £900 million, the subsea link will see the installation of a new high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cable between Orkney and the Scottish mainland, enabling the connection of up to 220MW of new renewable electricity to the national grid.
In addition to the Finstown Substation in Orkney, the project will also see the installation of around 14km of underground cable to where it makes landfall at Warebeth, west of Stromness, and 53km of subsea cable, which will connect into a new substation at Dounreay in Caithness where connection will be made to the GB electricity transmission network.
With construction now underway at Finstown, the contractors are beginning with enabling works for the site, such as setting up the temporary welfare compound for their workforce and SSEN Transmission staff before moving on to start earthworks in the area.
Work on the new Dounreay West Substation where the subsea cable will make landfall at the Scottish mainland began in the summer, and full energisation of the project is anticipated in 2028.
Alan Redman, SSEN Transmission’s lead project manager, said, “Breaking ground at Finstown is a huge moment for the Orkney-Caithness 220kV Subsea Link project and marks a significant step forward in connecting Orkney to the GB transmission network for the first time.
“The link will allow over 220MW of renewable energy to be connected to the national grid, helping to contribute to the fight against climate change and boost the country’s secure, homegrown power.
“With our contractor also progressing with construction work at Dounreay, we’re making a strong start to the project. We’ll do all we can to keep any disruption to a minimum and we’ll be sure to keep the community updated as the project progresses.”
