Power grid consultation events get underway

A series of consultation events, looking at the options for a future transmission connection between Orkney and Scottish mainland, are now underway in Orkney.

A team from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) held the first of a number of these events, in Flotta and Graemsay, at the weekend, with third event taking place at Orkney Auction Mart today.

SSEN owns and invests in the high voltage electricity network serving the north of Scotland. The power company is required to develop proposals for the connection of the network in Orkney in response to generation developers seeking to connect within its area.

As well as requiring relevant planning consents, plans will also need the approval of energy regulator Ofgem, who would need to be satisfied that generators requiring the link had the financial support in place to proceed.

SSEN previously developed proposals for a cable connection between Dounreay and Orkney’s West Mainland, responding to proposed wave generation developments in that area which were later withdrawn.

According to SSEN, Its new plans are focused on a cable connection between Caithness and a new substation site which is being sought in the Stenness or Orphir areas. This would be connected to a further central substation site which would need to be identified in the vicinity of Finstown.

Further events are taking place today at Orkney Auction Mart in Kirkwall from 10.30am until 4pm today, at Stromabank Hotel in Hoy from 10.30am until 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 28, at Burray Village Hall from 2pm until 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 1, at Rendall Community Hall from 2pm until 7.30pm on Thursday, March 2, and at Firth Community Centre from 2pm until 7.30pm on Friday, March 3.