Shetland Islands connected to GB grid
For the first time, the Shetland Islands have been connected to the GB grid, thanks to the completion of two major projects.
Image credit: SSE Renewables
UK, Shetland Islands: For the first time, the Shetland Islands have been connected to the GB grid. The completion of two major projects enabled this milestone: the Viking Wind Farm, set to become the UK’s most productive onshore wind farm, and a 260-kilometer subsea transmission link that will transport electricity from Shetland to the mainland.
The Viking Wind Farm, developed by SSE Renewables, features 103 Vestas turbines, and has a capacity of 443 MW. It is expected to produce around 1.8 TWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to power nearly 500000 homes each year, and will be the most productive onshore wind farm in the UK. The completion of the project and the subsea link represents a £1 billion investment by SSE as part of its £20.5 billion commitment to clean energy infrastructure by 2027.
The subsea cable, a 260 km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link, will transport electricity between Shetland and the GB mainland. It was installed by SSEN Transmission in three campaigns, using specialist cable-laying vessel NKT Victoria. It connects a new converter station at Kergord in Shetland to a switching station at Noss Head in Scotland and will enable clean energy generated in the Shetland Islands to flow to the rest of the UK, while also allowing for energy to be supplied back to Shetland.
The projects have already had a positive impact on the local economy and employment, supporting around 650 jobs and contributing £125 million to the Shetland economy during peak construction. The ongoing operations of the wind farm will support 35 permanent roles and are expected to contribute over £70 million to the local economy.
Source: SSE Renewables
#HVDC cable#onshore wind#Renewables#Shetland Islands#SSE Renewables#submarine cable#UK#Viking Wind Farm#wind farm