New Overhead Power Lines Planned for Shetland’s Energy Future

Plans for new overhead power lines connecting Kergord to Sullom Voe Terminal in Shetland have been unveiled, offering three potential routing options. This initiative aims to enhance the region’s energy infrastructure and facilitate future renewable energy projects, including offshore wind and hydrogen initiatives.

Shetland Islands Council has released images of the proposed routes on its planning portal, ahead of a public consultation event scheduled for October 6, 2023. The overhead lines are expected to be larger than existing poles running from Tingwall to Sandwater, prompting some to refer to them as “pylons.”

Routing options include a path from the Kergord/Sandwater area that runs past Voe and follows the A970 road towards Brae, eventually leading to the Voxter and Scatsta area. A second option also passes Voe but veers north, finishing near Sullom Voe Terminal. The third option primarily follows the Dales Lees road after passing Voe.

These new lines will connect to a planned 2 gigawatt (GW) northern substation hub in the Sullom Voe/Scatsta area. This hub is designed to support various future energy projects, including a second high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable to the Scottish mainland and offshore wind developments east of Shetland, as well as Statkraft’s hydrogen and ammonia plans at Scatsta.

The public consultation event at Voe Hall will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss the routing options for the Kergord to northern substation hub. Additionally, attendees will learn about the site selection for the “Kergord 2” substation.

In a related development, surveys for a proposed subsea cable linking Yell and the north mainland are anticipated over the next five years. This cable would enable two proposed wind farms on Yell to export electricity effectively. Power from Statkraft’s Energy Isles and Beaw Field wind farms is expected to connect to the northern substation hub.

Documents submitted to Marine Scotland indicate that marine surveys are necessary to assess the seabed’s condition and profile, as well as the benthic environment. While these surveys are set to occur over a five-year timeline, the actual on-site activity is expected to span only six months, conducted in distinct campaigns lasting up to 40 days each year.

Further public consultations regarding the Yell connections will be held at the Mossbank Hall on October 7, 2023, between 15:00 and 19:00, and at Burravoe Hall on Yell the following day from 14:45 to 18:45. Additional meetings to discuss the northern substation hub project are scheduled for October 9, 2023, at Brae Hall, and for the second HVDC link at Mossbank Hall on November 4, 2023, both between 15:00 and 19:00.

These consultation events aim to engage the community in discussions about the future of Shetland’s energy landscape, highlighting the importance of local input in shaping significant infrastructural developments.