‘Significant fuel stockpiling’ as new North Ronaldsay cable delayed

An electricity cable to North Ronaldsay will not be replaced this year, SSEN has announced.

A “significant fuel stockpiling” operation is underway, to keep the island powered over the winter.

The network operator said that “several practical factors” meant the new link to Sanday won’t be installed this autumn. It is now due to be installed at the “earliest available opportunity” in Spring 2027.

A scheme is now being established to recompense residents who have been put at a financial loss as a result of the months of disruption.

The Orkney Local Emergency Coordination Group (OLECG) has welcomed SSEN’s commitment to support household’s affected by the requests not to generate renewable energy.

“This was a key request raised by Orkney Islands Council and partner agencies on behalf of the North Ronaldsay community, and we are pleased that residents will receive financial recognition of the disruption they continue to face,” an OLECG spokeswoman said.

It was in February that a fault developed, with residents then relying on diesel generated power. 

In April, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks confirmed that repairing the connection was not feasible.

Surveys have since been carried out as part of the design work on the new cable route.

On Tuesday, a SSEN spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed that it’s not going to be feasible to install the cable this autumn, but this is due to several practical factors.

“Prior to submitting the necessary licence applications, we had to fulfil a number of criteria to demonstrate we’d addressed a wide, diverse range of factors.

“These included onshore environmental sensitivities, nesting birds, and designated sites relating to seals.

“These necessary processes took longer than initially expected. There are also listed building consent requirements in relation to The Dyke.

“Inclement weather caused delays to the collection of critical survey data, and a pessimistic weather outlook, factoring in the El Niño forecast, has further reduced the prospect of a successful installation this Autumn.”

The network provider said that supplies to North Ronaldsay “remain secure,” with two forms of back-up generation in the island.

SSEN added it is putting in place further contingencies for the winter.

“We’re aware there can be logistical challenges in getting people and cargo to the community over the winter by sea, so a significant fuel stockpiling operation is underway,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re also working with partners to secure alternative ways of getting to North Ronaldsay, if the ferry service is suspended for a prolonged duration.”

OLECG, which brings together key public authorities in Orkney, said they were disappointed by the delay to the replacement works.

A spokeswoman said: “The need for a new connection to North Ronaldsay has been recognised for some time, and local residents have already experienced a prolonged period of uncertainty.

“We know this latest delay will be frustrating and concerning for householders and businesses on the island who have been waiting for a long-term solution.”

Orkney’s MSP, Liam McArthur, said that islanders had already experienced “significant long term disruption” since the beginning of the year when the damage began.

He added: “I know from my engagement with SSEN that contingency measures are being put in place to ensure the resilience of electricity supplies, but also to provide means of compensation for those that have had to turn off turbines.

“I welcome the steps that are being taken in this regard, having raised concerns that had been shared with me by constituents about the impact locally.

“All steps must now be taken to ensure there is no further slippage in delivery, however.

“Above all, islanders desperately need to see this issue resolved and to have some certainty about when they can expect that to happen.”