SSEN Transmission has marked one year of delivery on its flagship Orkney link project by connecting the island to the high voltage GB electricity transmission network for the first time.
The project involves building two substations – one in Orkney at Finstown and one in Dounreay in Caithness – as well as building a 53km subsea cable across the Pentland Firth and underground cable connecting to the substations on land at both ends.
Around 375,000 people hours have been involved across both substation sites over the last 12 months.
At the Finstown Substation site, construction is well underway with significant progress made in earthworks, drainage, and the erection of steel structures for the various substation buildings.
Over the last year around 100,000 cubic metres of rock was successfully removed and crushed on site, with the majority reused again to form the level substation platform, substantially reducing the volume of rock imported to the site.
Recently, teams have completed all of the foundation concrete pours on site – a major step forward which allows the remaining building frames to now be erected.
In Caithness at the Dounreay West Substation site, the team has advanced earthworks and drainage, and made a strong start on steelwork construction, laying the foundations for future energy infrastructure which will form the key connection point into the national transmission grid.
One of the most technically complex achievements of the year was the completion of the landfall horizontal directional drilling (HDD) at Warebeth in Orkney, where the subsea cable will come ashore.
This involved the installation of two large bores – each 1,200 metres long and 36 inches in diameter – making them the longest and largest forward drilling HDDs in Europe. Delivered over a five-month programme, the works required precision engineering and marine coordination, all completed without significant incidents.
The team working on the cable ducts in Orkney has also reached the half-way mark, with over 50% of the ducts installed ready for the future underground land cable.
SSEN Transmission explained that the project is already delivering significant economic value for Orkney and the Highlands, with an anticipated £100 million of contract spend supporting the local supply chain over the life of the project.
Orcadian businesses involved in the project include BDS and Orkney Builders. At Dounreay, Global Infrastructure is leading the delivery of the civil engineering works, working closely with a broad range of local supply chain partners, such as John Gunn & Sons in Caithness, to ensure that a significant share of the project’s economic benefit is retained within the Caithness community. So far, the project has supported more than 100 jobs, including 40 local roles created by Global Infrastructure and John Gunn & Sons at the Dounreay site.
SSEN Transmission has also extended its lease at The Old Library coworking space in Kirkwall, providing another working area and central meeting point for teams to use throughout the project. The hub has offered an excellent use of facilities within the town and has enabled SSEN Transmission to have a base close to key local stakeholders.
With over 45 Highland and Orcadian businesses involved in the project so far, the first year of construction has highlighted the huge opportunities created by the project for communities in both Orkney, Caithness and the wider Highland region.
SSEN Transmission has placed community engagement at the heart of the Orkney link project, with engagement with key stakeholders taking place years in advance of construction taking place and continuing throughout construction.
Over the past year, the team has actively supported and participated in a wide range of local events, most notably the 2025 Island Games, held in Orkney for the first time. SSEN Transmission proudly sponsored athletes from Team Orkney, Team Western Isles, and Team Shetland, helping islanders compete. To minimise disruption, construction activities were carefully scheduled around the event, with project teams careful to make sure project activities were planned to reduce impact on this crucial event.
From beach cleans to supporting growing school STEM events, the project teams have also got involved in numerous community initiatives to help strengthen local connections and inspire the next generation around the opportunities available in the energy sector.
Ian Clark, project director at SSEN Transmission, said, “Passing the one-year milestone on the Orkney link project is a proud moment for everyone involved. The progress made across our sites, particularly the successful completion of Europe’s largest forward drilling HDD installation, is a testament to the skill and dedication of our teams and contractors.
“With steelwork now well underway at both Finstown and Dounreay Substations sites, and the underground land cable corridor in Orkney striding forwards, the project is making great progress.
“We’re equally proud of the relationships we’ve built with local communities and the positive impact the project is having across Orkney and Caithness. We look forward to continuing this momentum as we deliver this vital link for Scotland’s clean energy future.”
Mark Flemming, construction director at from Global Infrastructure, said, “Working on the civils package for Dounreay Substation has been a fantastic opportunity for our team. Over the past year, we’ve seen the site develop from a greenfield location into a major construction project, with strong progress across the buildings and wider civil engineering works.
“A key part of our approach has been to maximise the use of local subcontractors. We’ve been able to bring in companies such as John Gunn & Sons, Norbloc, North Coast Excavations and G.A. Barnies, alongside a number of other valued local supply chain partners. This has created real employment opportunities, supported local skills, and ensured that a significant share of the project’s economic benefit stays within the region.
“It’s a clear example of how major clean energy infrastructure can deliver positive and lasting value for local businesses and communities.”
Stephen Kemp, MD of Orkney Builders, said, “We’re delighted to be part of the team working on the Finstown Substation as part of the Orkney link project, and are pleased to now be progressing the big packages we’re involved in.
“It has provided opportunities for us to bring in our trusted local supply chain partners for specialist services such as flooring, firestopping, and painting and decorating, ensuring that the benefits of this investment are felt across the local sector. Importantly, this project has also allowed us to create some unusual opportunities for our apprentices, which supports our ongoing drive to develop a skilled workforce that will continue to support Orkney long after the project is complete.”
