SSEN is in Orkney all this week sharing its information on the transmission update programme for Orkney.

It has made changes to its initial design. This includes:

• A commitment not to use steel lattice transmission towers
• Landscaping proposals to minimise visual impact of Finstown substation
• A proposal to underground the onshore infrastructure around the fourth Churchill Barrier
• Consideration of a new subsea cable from Hoy to the Orkney mainland as an alternative route to connect renewable generation looking to connect on Hoy

SSEN is also committed to ensure no new overhead wooden poles and transmission lines are within 100m of residential properties.

The Finstown Substation

This is the final round of public consultation and possibly  the last opportunity for the local community to influence the final designs before they are submitted to Planning.

The consultation events will be held across the following locations and will include 3D modelling of the proposed infrastructure, providing a realistic visualisation of how the project will look against the local landscape:

• Monday 24 September  Stromness Community Centre, Stromness 14:00 – 18:00
• Tuesday 25 September Cromarty Hall, St Margaret’s Hope 14:00 – 18:00
• Wednesday 26 September Flotta Community Centre, Flotta 09:30 – 13:30
• Wednesday 26 September  NorthWalls Community School, Hoy 16:00 – 19:00
• Thursday 27 September Firth Community Centre, Finstown 14:00 – 18:00
• Friday 28 September  Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall 14:00 – 18:00

“A number of renewable energy developers in the Orkney Islands have requested a connection to the electricity network. The Orkney connection project would provide a new transmission connection between Caithness and the Orkney Islands, and associated onshore infrastructure required to support this connection.”

To find out more about the Orkney Connection Project click here

Reporter: Fiona Grahame