SSEN Transmission has secured a variation to its existing marine licence for the Western Isles high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea link, enabling an increase in the planned cable capacity, the company said.
The approval from the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate allows SSEN Transmission to progress the project as part of its more than £22 billion investment programme to upgrade and reinforce the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland.
The 82-kilometre subsea connection will link the Western Isles to the Great Britain transmission system following a development process spanning several years.
SSEN Transmission said the project is expected to help unlock the renewable energy potential of the Western Isles while supporting local economic growth and contributing to the UK’s transition to cleaner energy.
The marine licence variation follows planning consent granted in November for the Lewis Hub, another key element of the wider programme.
“Securing this variation to the existing marine licence marks the culmination of many years of development, and is an important milestone in our programme to strengthen Scotland’s transmission network and support the transition to cleaner, more secure energy,” Peter Watson, lead marine consents and environment manager at SSEN Transmission, said in a statement.
Watson said the project team will continue to work closely with stakeholders to manage environmental impacts. “The unique environment we are working in and the close working relationships with our stakeholders will allow us to look at new ways of monitoring the marine environment and incorporate nature-inclusive design and marine restoration into the construction of the link,” he said.
SSEN Transmission said it plans to step up engagement with local maritime and island communities, including those in Little Loch Broom and Arnish, as the project moves forward.
