SSEN makes case for transmission link to Western Isles

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has submitted a final needs case to Ofgem for a new 600MW subsea transmission link between the Western Isles and the Scottish mainland.

The company said the connection is needed to provide grid access to proposed renewable projects on the archipelago, which has some of the greatest potential wind resources in Scotland.

The government confirmed in June that onshore wind projects on remote Scottish islands will be allowed to compete in the next contracts for difference (CfD) auction in May 2019. SSEN said the success of projects on the Western Isles would provide fresh impetus to progress with the grid upgrade, which has now been in the pipeline for around a decade.

The current electricity network in the area is at full capacity meaning no new generation can be connected without significant reinforcements.

Analysis undertaken by SSEN concluded that if the two largest proposed windfarms on the islands won contracts in the upcoming auction a new link to the mainland would be the best solution for their requirements.

The company has therefore asked Ofgem to approve the strategic wider works scheme on the condition that developers commit to building enough new generation capacity following the auction.

“Today marks a significant milestone in providing a transmission connection to the Western Isles,” said Dave Gardner, director of transmission at SSEN.

“We believe our proposal represents a robust, economic case for reinforcement and provides the best possible opportunity to unlock the renewable potential of the Western Isles.”

“There are still many hurdles to overcome, not least the requirement for sufficient volumes of renewable generation capacity securing a CfD contract to underpin the investment case.”

In March, SSEN presented its final needs case to Ofgem for a new 220MW transmission link between the Orkney Islands and the Scottish mainland.