SSE Proposes New Substation and Infrastructure for Shetland’s Energy Future

Energy company SSEN is exploring plans for a new substation and larger pylons to enhance Shetland’s energy infrastructure. The proposed developments aim to support future projects, including a second high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable to the Scottish mainland and offshore wind initiatives east of Shetland. A community benefit package worth £2 million is also anticipated, although this would be a one-off payment rather than an annual contribution.

The new substation is planned for the area north of Kergord, strategically located between Kergord and a proposed 2GW substation hub in the Sullom Voe/Scatsta region. As part of this initiative, SSEN is hosting a community engagement event at Mareel on October 3, 2023, allowing local residents to interact with various energy developers, including Statkraft, the team behind the Stoura offshore wind farm, and Shetland Aerogenerators.

Alan Kelly, SSEN Transmission’s lead project manager, emphasized the importance of community feedback. “We’re committed to events like this,” he stated in a pre-event interview with Shetland News. “People have said ‘you’re not listening’ – if we weren’t listening, we wouldn’t be here.” This event follows a recent seminar with local councillors discussing SSEN’s future plans, where concerns were raised about the proposed steel lattice pylons.

The new substation near Kergord would be comparable in size to the existing one, allowing for an increase in voltage from 132kV to 220kV. Kelly explained that this upgrade would facilitate fewer circuits to connect to the island. “The whole Shetland strategy we’ve developed centres around the second HVDC link,” he noted. “All of the projects need to be connected.”

Currently, overhead lines in the area operate at 132kV, but the proposed lines between Kergord and the North Mainland would require larger structures due to the upgraded voltage. Kelly described the new pylons as having a four-legged base, similar to the Bressay transmission mast, but clarified they would not be as tall.

SSEN plans to return to the community in October for further consultations regarding the pylons. Kelly acknowledged the potential visual impact these structures could have and assured residents that feedback would be taken seriously. He mentioned that underground cabling, while an option, presents challenges due to the terrain and higher costs compared to overhead lines.

Concerns surrounding the pylons were voiced by local councillor Stephen Leask, who advocates for increased underground cabling. “We’re paying a premium for energy in Shetland, and there seems to be a lack of sensitivity towards our environment and the island’s visual beauty,” he remarked.

In addition to the substation and pylons, SSEN is also planning the second HVDC cable, which will boast a capacity three times greater than the current 600MW cable connecting Kergord and Caithness. This new link will support offshore wind projects and planned onshore developments in Yell.

The northern hub is designed to connect various energy initiatives, including Statkraft’s Beaw Field and Energy Isles wind farms. Its footprint may be double that of the existing Kergord site, measuring 800 metres by 500 metres. A converter station and an alternating current (AC) substation are also part of the design.

SSEN aims to align the building’s appearance with the landscape to minimize visual impact, especially since the Sullom Voe area is already industrialized. The Shetland Islands Council has encouraged the placement of new infrastructure in industrial areas wherever possible.

Furthermore, SSEN intends to ensure that the installation of the second HVDC cable does not negatively affect local businesses, particularly aquaculture firms. Alongside these developments, a new subsea cable from the Shetland mainland to Yell is also planned, alongside a smaller substation in Yell.

Under new UK Government guidelines, SSEN is set to enhance community benefits associated with energy infrastructure projects. For example, construction of a substation or converter station could bring in a community benefit of £520,000, while overhead lines could result in £200,000 per kilometre. Although these payments would be one-off, they could culminate in over £2 million for Shetland, Kelly explained.

SSEN is also addressing housing needs for the transient workforce involved in these construction projects, in discussions with Hjaltland Housing Association to explore potential benefits for the community.

As SSEN continues to work on these significant projects, it is also laying new cabling to connect Sullom Voe Terminal to the grid for the first time. A proposed eight-turbine wind farm with battery storage is also being considered by Shetland Aerogenerators.

In summarizing SSEN’s vision for Shetland’s energy future, Kelly stated that the company is taking future government scenarios into account while designing a network that allows for growth. “What we’re trying to present today is the future plans,” he concluded.