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Shetland HVDC Connection

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Shetland HVDC Connection
Map
Map of Shetland HVDC Connection
Location
CountryScotland, United Kingdom
FromUpper Kergord Valley, Shetland
Passes throughNorth Sea
ToCaithness HVDC switching station, near Wick
Ownership information
OperatorScottish Hydro Electric Transmission
Construction information
CommissionedAugust 2024
Technical information
TypeSubmarine cable
Type of currentHVDC
Total length260 km (160 mi)
Power rating600 MW
DC voltage+/-320 kV
No. of poles2 (Symmetrical monopole)
No. of circuits1

Shetland HVDC Connection is a high-voltage direct current submarine power cable connecting Shetland to the British mainland.

History

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The project was proposed in 2007.[1] In January 2008, the report published by the Crown Estate found the project would be "economically and technically possible".[2] At the same year, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission filed planning application and started public consultations.[3]

Originally, the cable was planned to run from Shetland to 320 km (200 miles) to Portgordon on the Scottish mainland,[3][4][5] and then on to Blackhillock substation, near Keith, Moray via 25 km (16-mile) underground cable.[3][5] However, the end point was moved to Caithness, and the remaining part of the connection was constructed separately as the Caithness - Moray Link.[6]

In 2019, Ofgem announced that it was minded to authorise construction, subject to the Viking windfarm winning a CfD contract in the government auction held in September 2019. Viking Energy was unsuccessful in this auction, putting the future of the interconnector in doubt. [7] [8]

SSEN submitted a revised proposal in January 2020. Ofgem carried out a final consultation on this revised proposal, and concluded in April 2020 that it would grant conditional approval for the link, conditional on Ofgem receiving sufficient evidence by the end of 2020 that the 457 MW Viking Wind Farm project is likely to go ahead.[9]

In April 2020, Ofgem approved revised proposals for the project, subject to "evidence that the Shetland Viking Wind Farm project will go ahead".[9] On 17 June 2020, the Viking Wind Farm sponsor, SSE Renewables, made a final investment decision to proceed with the wind farm investment, conditional on certain indu stry code modifications, and "the outcome of the consultation on Ofgem’s minded-to position to approve the transmission link, expected in July 2020".[10] According to Shetland News, this meant that both the Windfarm and the HVDC Connection were "likely to go ahead".[11] On 16 July 2020, Ofgem gave final approval for the connection.[12]

Contracts for construction were awarded in August 2020.[13] In February 2022, Hitachi Energy started the process of installing HVDC equipment at Kergord.[14] Installation of the subsea cable started in July 2022.[15]

In April 2022, the project was described as "on track to be completed by 2024".[16] The subsea cable installation is ongoing, and expected to continue until 2023.[13] The first transmission of energy happened in June 2024, and the connection was commissioned in August of the same year.[17][18]

Route

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The interconnector starts at the Upper Kergord Valley converter station in Shetland. From the converter station an underground cable runs to a landing area in Weisdale Voe. From there, a subsea cable runs to landfall at Noss Head in Caithness, with onward connection to an HVDC switching station north of the village of Staxigoe in Caithness.[6][19]

The route of the cable crosses TAT-10, TAT-14 and Atlantic Crossing 1 telecommunication cables and the Piper–Flotta oil pipeline.[1]

Technical description

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The interconnector will connect to the existing 320 kV Caithness - Moray Link to form a three terminal HVDC network, with converter stations at Spittal in Caithness; Blackhillock Substation in Moray; and Upper Kergord on Shetland. The Shetland leg will have a power rating of 600 MW;[9] the Spittal and Blackhillock converters are rated at 800 MW and 1,200 MW respectively.[20] This will be the first multi-terminal HVDC interconnection in Europe.[21]

Project developer

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The project is being developed by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, a subsidiary of SSE plc.

Project economics

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It is estimated that it will cost more than £600 million.[22] Another source stated cost of £660 million.[16]

The project is needed for development of Shetland's renewable energy potential and it is necessary for the projects such as the Viking Wind Farm.[23]

It also contributes to the security of Shetland's electricity supply,[22] especially as Lerwick Power Station is nearing the end of its operational life.[24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Assessment of the Grid Connection Options for the Scottish Islands (PDF) (Report). Highlands and Islands Enterprise. 27 March 2007. pp. 8–9, 37–38. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Undersea power cable 'possible'". BBC News. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Shetland HVDC Connection. Consultation Report (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  4. ^ Shetland HVDC Connection. Marine Environmental Appraisal Subsea Cable Summary (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  5. ^ a b Keeping the lights on and supporting the growth. A consultation of our plans for the next decade (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. p. 26. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Caithness HVDC switching station - To enable a proposed subsea transmission cable from Shetland to connect to the network, we are proposing to construct an HVDC switching station north of Wick in Caithness". SSEN. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  7. ^ "'Disappointed' but still 'committed' – Viking Energy reacts to CfD decision". Shetland Times. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Update on the SWW Final Needs Case for the Shetland electricity transmission project and potential next steps" (PDF). OfGEM. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  9. ^ a b c "Ofgem approves 600MW Shetland transmission link". Ofgem. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Viking approval secures £580m green recovery investment". Viking Energy. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  11. ^ Chris Cope (17 June 2020). "Viking Energy wind farm looks set to go ahead as SSE agrees to proceed with £580m project". Shetland News. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Major Shetland subsea power cable to mainland approved". BBC News. BBC. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Final milestone for Shetland HVDC link complete following appointment of main contractors". 3 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Shetland Project Newsletter Issue 6" (PDF). SSEN Projects: Shetland. SSEN. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Undersea cable laid to link Shetland to UK energy grid". BBC News - NE Orkney and Shetland. BBC. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Shetland HVDC link striding forwards". SSEN: Press releases. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  17. ^ Skopljak, Nadja (24 June 2024). "Shetland HVDC Link transmits first power ahead of full commissioning later this summer".
  18. ^ "New Shetland windfarm could power nearly 500,000 homes". BBC News. 28 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Caithness HVDC Switching Station". Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Caithness Moray HVDC Link". ABB corporate website. ABB. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  21. ^ "First multi-terminal HVDC interconnection in Europe will boost renewable energy and enhance power security". Press release. Hitachi ABB. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Ofgem backs Shetland subsea power cable plans". BBC News / Orkney and Shetland. BBC. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  23. ^ "Ofgem approves 600MW Shetland transmission link". Ofgem. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Ofgem consultation on the costs of the new energy solution for Shetland". Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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