Shetland HVDC Connection

Shetland HVDC Connection
Location
Country Scotland, United Kingdom
From Upper Kergord Valley, Shetland
Passes through Weisdale Voe
North Sea
Portgordon
To Blackhillock, near Keith, Moray
Ownership information
Operator Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission
Construction information
Expected 2016
Technical information
Type Submarine cable
Type of current HVDC
Total length 345 km (214 mi)
Power rating 550 MW
Number of circuits 1

Shetland HVDC Connection is a planned high-voltage direct current submarine power cable to connect the Shetland Islands to the Scottish mainland. It is being developed by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, a subsidiary of SSE plc.

History

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]

Route

The interconnector will start at the Upper Kergord Valley converter station on Shetland. From the converter station an underground cable will be laid to a landing area in Weisdale Voe. From there, a subsea cable was planned to run 320 kilometres (200 mi) to Portgordon on the Scottish mainland,[3][4][5] and then on to Blackhillock substation, near Keith, Moray via 25-kilometre (16 mi) underground cable.[3][5] However, the end point was moved to Spittal, Highland.[6]

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

Technical description

The interconnector will be most likely single HVDC circuit as the most economic approach; however, also two and three circuits solutions by using VSC HVDC solutions are under consideration.[7] It will have capacity of 550–600 MW and it will operate at 300 kV.[1][8] It is expected to cost over £300 million.[1][9]

The project is needed for development of Shetland's renewable energy potential and it is necessary for the projects such us the Viking Wind Farm and the Aegir wave farm.[10][11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Assessment of the Grid Connection Options for the Scottish Islands (PDF) (Report). Highlands and Islands Enterprise. 2007-03-27. pp. 8–9; 37–38. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  2. ↑ "Undersea power cable 'possible'". BBC News. 2008-01-17. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  3. 1 2 3 Shetland HVDC Connection. Consultation Report (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  4. ↑ Shetland HVDC Connection. Marine Environmental Appraisal Subsea Cable Summary (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  5. 1 2 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 2012-04-09.
  6. ↑ https://www.ssepd.co.uk/CaithnessHVDC/
  7. ↑ Apendix A. Project Description (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  8. ↑ Planning application: 09/01471/OUT (PDF) (Report). The Moray Council. 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  9. ↑ "Viking interconnector by April 2016". Shetland News. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  10. ↑ "UK: Aegir Wave Farm to Benefit from Viking Wind Farm". Subsea World News. 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
  11. ↑ "UK: Viking Decision Boosts Shetland Wave Project". Subsea World News. 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
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