The developer of the 2GW Caledonia offshore wind project, in Scotland’s Moray Firth, has published its plan for the onshore transmission infrastructure which will connect the asset to the National Grid.
Ocean Winds has submitted the Onshore Transmission Infrastructure Scoping Report to Aberdeenshire Council and pre-application consultation events will be held in various community locations in Aberdeenshire in spring 2023.
The infrastructure will consist of an underground cable landfall site on the West Aberdeenshire coast, a new electricity substation in the vicinity of New Deer and an underground cable route connecting the two.
Catarina Rei, Head of Development for Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm, said: “Caledonia is one of the few ScotWind projects which is geographically able to use AC transmission, rather than the DC technology needed to overcome significant distances from shore.
“That means Caledonia can proceed at pace to supply Scotland with local low-cost, low-carbon electricity.
“With the exception of the substation, all of the onshore transmission infrastructure will be underground, so after completion, it will not be visible.
“The scoping report identifies a broad corridor for the cable route, which will be refined as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process and through local engagement.
“We will publish details of a series of pre application consultation events in spring to provide the opportunity to discuss our proposals with local communities.”