The first shunt reactor has been delivered for the onshore substation for the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm off Scotland.
The unit was transported, under police escort, to the NnG onshore substation near Innerwick, East Lothian, from the Port of Leith on a special 67-metre long trailer overnight Friday into Saturday.
It was then transferred onto a 45-metre long trailer capable of negotiating the narrower road up to Crystal Rig.
The 160-tonne shunt reactor is 10 metres long, three metres wide and five metres high.
A second shunt reactor is due for delivery next weekend.
They provide voltage control and compensate for the length of the project’s onshore and offshore cables delivering electricity from the NnG wind farm in the outer Forth Estuary to its onshore substation at the existing Crystal Rig onshore wind farm.
The substation is planned for completion next year.
The wind farm is being developed by EDF Renewables UK and ESB.
Project director Matt Haag said: “The shunt reactor is vital to enable NnG’s safe connection to the National Grid.
“We’re grateful to all our neighbours in Innerwick and the surrounding area for their patience as we ensured its safe passage to the substation.”


