In July 2022 the Electricity System Operator, National Grid ESO, published the 'Pathway to 2030', confirming the requirement for a 1.8GW HVDC subsea link from the Western Isles to the north of Scotland mainland. This forms part of a GB wide programme of network upgrades which are required to help meet 2030 offshore wind targets.
In December 2022, the GB energy regulator, Ofgem, approved the need for the Western Isles link as part of its Accelarated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) Framework decision, a major step forward in providing the much needed and long awaited certainty required to unlock the vast renewable energy potential of the Western Isles.
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SSEN Transmission has been developing proposals to provide a transmission connection to the Western Isles for well over a decade, with the 1.8GW HVDC link replacing previous proposals for a 600MW HVDC link. Due to the Western Isles Link now increasing to 1.8GW the final arrangements for the Western Isles HVDC Converter station and AC substation, land cables and connections to the Transmission Network have been re-evaluated to accommodate necessary changes in onshore infrastructure required as part of the bigger link.
SSEN Transmission is now seeking feedback on its updated proposals for a HVDC Converter station and an AC substation which follows a site selection process, the outcome of which, including SSEN Transmission's current preferred site, will be presented for consultation.
SSEN Transmission's Community Liaison Manager Lisa Marchi said: "We are excited to see the Western Isles link progressing, which follows over a decade of working closely with the local community, customers and stakeholders to move forward this nationally significant project.
"With the capacity of the cable increasing from previous plans for a 600MW link to a 1.8GW link, our onshore infrastructure proposals need to be re-evaluated and we are now seeking feedback on these new proposals.
"We look forward to building on the constructive engagement we have enjoyed with communities and wider stakeholders in the area and encourage anyone with an interest in the project to come along to our in-person event later this month, to share their views."
The consultation event will be taking place on Wednesday 26 April between 3pm and 7pm at Cabarfeidh Hotel Manor Park, Perceval Road, Stornoway, HS1 2EU.
