The development of the electricity grid in the north of Scotland – key to releasing the renewable energy potential of the region – has today taken an important step forward.
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc – part of SSE – has made a submission to energy regulator Ofgem for consent to invest in a subsea cable between Caithness and Moray. The link will enable the export of renewbale energy from the north of Scotland.
The subsea cable option was chosen following extensive environmental investigations and consultation. It will connect to onshore substations at Spittal in Caithness and Blackhillock in Moray and will have capacity to transmit 1,200MW of electricity.
The decision to move ahead with the Caithness-Moray link follows the succesful completion of a £78 million upgrade – on time and on budget - to the Dounreay-Beauly overhead transmission line. This will connect over 650 megawatts (MW) of renewable generation already constructed in Caithness, and a further 200MW consented or in construction to the electricity grid.
David Gardner, SSE’s Director of Transmission, said: “The completion of the Dounreay-Beauly demonstrates good progress with the work we are doing to reinforce the transmission infrastructure in the north of Scotland.
“At a time when there is a lot of discussion about the need for investment in different types of infrastructure to boost the economy, we are progressing with our capital expenditure programme which will connect significant amounts of renewable energy to the grid; contributing to energy security, economic growth and decarbonisation of electricity generation.”
Since 2009 SHE Transmission has committed to over £1bn of investment in the transmission network in the north of Scotland to build on the connection of almost 3GW of renewable energy.
Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables added: “This is another important step forward in the delivery of an electricity grid for the challenges of the 21st century. The new subsea link is an important piece of the plan to increase output in the North of Scotland from renewable electricity, including our world-leading wave and tidal sector.
“It’s important that as we develop our renewable energy industry and make good on our ambitions to create a global centre of excellence in Scotland, we have the right kind of grid infrastructure in place to take this electricity to homes and business across the country.”
Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross said: “I welcome the development of the converter station near Spittal as part of the Caithness to Moray electricity transmission network. The jobs benefits to Caithness will be further realised as will the national targets for decarbonised electricity supply.”