SSEN Transmission and specialist cable contractor Nexans have reached a significant milestone on the Orkney Link project, a link to connect the islands with the Scottish mainland, with work now underway to install the project’s 14 km underground land cable route across Orkney. Installation will take place in phases, beginning in the east and progressing west towards Warebeth, where the cable will connect with the future subsea section of the project. Once individual cable sections have been installed, specialist jointing teams will fuse them together to create one continuous cable system stretching the length of the route.
Significant progress has also been made at Finstown substation, with cladding works completed over the summer months and the first of the buildings now fully wind and watertight. This has enabled specialist teams from Siemens Energy to begin installing the electrical equipment within the substation buildings.
Nexans is responsible for the manufacture and installation of both the land and subsea cable systems that will form the connection between Orkney and the Scottish mainland. Minimal disruption to road users is anticipated during this phase of works. Installation teams will work progressively along the route, with activities moving between locations as each cable section is completed.
The Orkney Link project is a major investment for Scotland’s electricity network and will play a key role in enabling the connection of renewable energy generation from the islands.
More about the Orkney Link Project can be found here: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/orkney/
