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 |
| No. 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
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ "Undersea power cable 'possible'". BBC News. 2008-01-17. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ a b c Shetland HVDC Connection. Consultation Report (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ Shetland HVDC Connection. Marine Environmental Appraisal Subsea Cable Summary (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ 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 2012-04-09.
- ^ https://www.ssepd.co.uk/CaithnessHVDC/
- ^ Apendix A. Project Description (PDF) (Report). Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited. July 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ Planning application: 09/01471/OUT (PDF) (Report). The Moray Council. 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ "Viking interconnector by April 2016". Shetland News. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ "UK: Aegir Wave Farm to Benefit from Viking Wind Farm". Subsea World News. 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
- ^ "UK: Viking Decision Boosts Shetland Wave Project". Subsea World News. 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-04-08.