The UK energy regulator Ofgem has given its final approval to SSEN Transmission’s plans to provide a subsea electricity transmission link to Orkney, an archipelago off the north-eastern coast of Scotland (United Kingdom) and home to large renewables resources, including offshore wind and marine generation. SSEN Transmission is an affiliate of the energy company SSE. The project will enable the connection of up to 220 MW of renewables. It consists of a new substation at Finstown in Orkney, and around 57 km of subsea cable, connecting to a new substation at Dounreay in Caithness.
SSEN Transmission has secured all planning consents for the point-to-point connection and is working to plan the on-island infrastructure to connect Orkney renewable generators to Finstown substation and to demand centres in the north of Scotland and beyond. Public consultation on the potential onshore infrastructure requirements is planned for late summer/early autumn.