The public and industry bodies have the opportunity to influence whether Scotland’s submarine cables, which connect 59 Scottish islands to the main electricity network, will be laid on the seabed or protected during their installation.
The distribution network operator Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) has today launched a six week consultation to understand people’s views on whether the 111 submarine electricity cables in Scottish waters should be protected within the sea bed or laid on top of it.
The consultation runs until 13 October 2015 and allows people to feedback their views on the impact any work to the submarine cables might have on the marine environment, any social and economic impact the works could have and disclose any concerns they have on how much the works could cost.
SHEPD is working with the energy regulator Ofgem and the regulator for managing Scotland’s seas Marine Scotland on coming up with a final sustainable process.
In March 2015, Scotland’s National Plan was adopted – providing an overarching framework for all marine activities in Scottish waters, including how submarine electricity cables are installed and protected on the seabed. An outcome of this could be all submarine cables might need to be buried. Currently 110 of the submarine cables connecting 59 Scottish islands are laid on the surface of the seabed.
Alan Broadbent, Director of Engineering at SHEPD, said: “It is important we secure the thoughts of all interested parties on what they would like us to do with the submarine cables, as protecting or laying can have different impacts and outcomes. Any major investment decision we make requires the agreement of Ofgem to ensure it is being made on a sound economic and efficient basis. And any decision on the installation method of the submarine cable needs to be accepted by Marine Scotland.
“To ensure we produce a fair and accurate cost benefit analysis to submit to the regulators, our consultation will make sure everybody affected by this activity has a strong voice in assessing the various methods of cable installation and protection methods.”
SHEPD is hosting events across the country to give people the opportunity to ask questions and speak with the business.
Anybody interested in attending an event or completing the consultation can find details on ssepd.co.uk or by emailing submarinecables@sse.com to request a copy.