SSEN Transmission and their contractor, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, recently conducted a major emergency rescue drill at a construction site near Sandwater, Shetland.

The exercise simulated a real-life scenario where a worker was stranded on a scaffolding tower. The drill involved multiple agencies, including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service, to test response times and coordination in a remote, high-risk environment.

The teams were tasked with assessing the situation, administering first aid, planning a rescue strategy, and ensuring clear communication with all parties involved. The exercise aimed to improve emergency response capabilities and strengthen collaboration between different agencies.

Sean Mackenzie, Construction Manager at SSEN Transmission and a retained firefighter, played a key role in organising the drill. He recognised the importance of real-world training and the potential benefits of a multi-agency approach.

Sean emphasised the importance of safety and preparation: "Safety is a top priority for SSEN Transmission, and to ensure we are ready for any incident, we work with our site teams to regularly conduct simulations to help everyone on site respond effectively to emergencies. Saturday's training exercise provided a stark reminder of the potential risks on-site and highlighted the critical need for rapid response and multi-agency cooperation.


"It's also important to highlight how SSEN Transmission provides the support for individuals such as myself to continue their roles in emergency services alongside their usual 'day jobs' – allowing me to continue to provide essential support to the community in which I live and work while also delivering essential energy projects to help reach net zero."

Mackenzie continued: "We would like to extend our gratitude to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Services for their invaluable support and expertise during this drill. Their guidance and feedback were essential in helping us fine-tune our emergency site response capabilities, and I think everyone really took something away which will help us all be more prepared for any incident."

Paul Smith, Construction Director at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: "As a responsible business, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is committed to protecting people. Our team at Gremista work in a challenging environment and often difficult conditions. Keeping people safe is a value that our colleagues at SSEN Transmission, our suppliers and our subcontractors are all equally committed to.

"The recent rescue drill involved colleagues from all parties, and also the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service. It was a huge success for collaboration and provided us with lots of potentially lifesaving skills and learnings, which we'll take away and use across all our sites. Thank you to everyone who took part."

The successful completion of the drill reinforced the readiness and efficiency of SSEN Transmission and Morgan Sindall Infrastructures' emergency responses, underlining the critical role of collaboration with local emergency services. The exercise highlights both team's commitment to ensuring the safety of all people working on its sites and maintaining the highest standards of emergency preparedness.

A special thanks is extended to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Services for their continued support and willingness to get involved in Saturday's exercise.

The drill involved teams working on the ongoing Kergord-Gremista connection project. Once complete, the Kergord-Gremista link will provide a connection to Shetland's local electricity distribution network, connecting the islands to the GB energy system for the first time and helping to secure Shetland's future electricity supply.