SSEN Transmission is set to begin nearshore marine survey work off north-west Shetland as part of plans for the proposed Shetland 2 high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link, the company said.
The surveys will collect data on seabed and coastal conditions near Braewick, identified as a potential landfall site for the subsea cable. The company said the findings will help determine the suitability of the location for future infrastructure development.
SSEN Transmission added that the proposed landfall at Braewick could connect via an underground cable route to a planned Northern Substation Hub on mainland Shetland, forming part of the broader transmission network.
The work is part of a wider marine survey programme aimed at informing the project’s final design, route alignment and landfall location. A Notice to Mariners will be issued ahead of the surveys, outlining vessel activity and scheduling details during the campaign.
The Shetland 2 HVDC Link is intended to provide a second electricity transmission connection between Shetland and the Scottish mainland, supporting system resilience and energy security.
“Marine surveys are an important early step in assessing potential landfall locations for the subsea cable, and the upcoming work off the coast at Braewick will help us better understand the area’s suitability,” said David Inge, development portfolio manager at SSEN Transmission.
“We would like to again thank everyone who attended and provided feedback at the consultation events held in 2025, and we look forward to continued engagement with local communities and stakeholders as we progress and shape our proposals,” he added.
