Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has submitted a final needs case for the Western Isles interconnector to regulator Ofgem.
The documentation maps a 600MW subsea link between Lewis and the Scottish mainland and then underground wires running to the Beauly substation near Inverness.
“The network reinforcement is required to enable renewable generation seeking to connect on Western Isles access to the GB market,” said SSEN.
Progress comes after the UK government committed to the participation of remote island winds in the Contracts for Difference auction due by May 2019. Paperwork is submitted on a conditional basis pending the outcome of the bidding process.
“There is now an opportunity to progress with the transmission reinforcement subject to the success of Western Isles renewable developers in the CfD auction and regulatory approval,” said SSEN.
Director of transmission Dave Gardner said: “Today marks a significant milestone in providing a transmission connection to the Western Isles. We believe our proposal represents a robust, economic case for reinforcement and provides the best possible opportunity to unlock the renewable potential of the Western Isles.
“There are still many hurdles to overcome, not least the requirement for sufficient volumes of renewable generation capacity securing a CfD contract to underpin the investment case.”
Lewis Wind Power, which has two projects lined up to participate in the auction, said the submission of the needs case is an important step in the development of renewable energy in the Western Isles.
“We hope Ofgem will see the clear merit in SSEN’s proposals which would accommodate the three consented projects on Lewis and which would also give communities across the Western Isles the chance to progress plans for additional development in the future,” it said.
Image: National Grid
SSEN maps 600MW Hebrides link
By EBS