The developer of Scottish offshore wind project West of Orkney Windfarm has submitted an onshore planning application to The Highland Council for onshore works.
The paperwork provides detailed information on the proposed cable landfalls on the north Caithness coast, the project’s substation at or near Spittal in Caithness and the underground wires which will extend around 20km and connect to the substation.
Last year, the West of Orkney Windfarm secured the development rights to an area of seabed from Crown Estate Scotland in the highly competitive ScotWind leasing process to bring forward an offshore windfarm 30km west of the Orkney Mainland and 25km north of the Sutherland coast.
Development manager Jack Farnham said: “The onshore connection is a vital component of the project and will enable us to export clean electricity sufficient to power around two million homes.
“The cables to our substation will all be underground and once installed, the land will be reinstated.
“We’ve worked hard to consider all environmental and social constraints when seeking to locate the landfalls, underground cables and substation.
“We’ve taken on board local communities’ feedback through a series of public events.
“The substation will be carefully screened by landscaping and native planting.
“Once operational, the substation will only be lit when necessary.
“We’re committed to reduce the volume of traffic on local roads and will continue to work closely with the council and local communities through the development process.”
West of Orkney Windfarm will have up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations, an expected capacity of around 2GW and aims to deliver first power in 2029.
It is being developed by a joint venture comprising Corio Generation, TotalEnergies and Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG).