BAM helps to deliver on UK’s net zero targets by connecting Orkney Islands with GB electricity grid
BAM helps to deliver on UK’s net zero targets by connecting Orkney Islands with GB electricity grid
BAM and JV partner Siemens Energy have been selected by SSEN Transmission to deliver key elements of the Orkney-Caithness Link project, connecting Orkney to the GB electricity transmission network for the first time.
The estimated £900m investment will see the installation of a new subsea high voltage alternating current (HVAC) subsea cable between Orkney and the Scottish mainland, enabling the connection of up to 220MW of new renewable electricity to the national grid, providing another boost to the UK’s ambitious energy security and net zero targets.
The link will consist of a new substation at Finstown in Orkney, 14km of underground cable to where it makes landfall at Warebeth, then 53km of subsea cable, which will connect into a new substation at Dounreay in Caithness where connection will be made to the GB electricity transmission network.
Throughout August, contracts have been awarded to the key supply chain partners including:
- Siemens Energy and BAM Joint Venture (JV), who bring significant experience of delivering transmission substations on SSEN’s network including island environments, will construct the substations.
- RJ McLeod will install the underground cable ducting, including horizontal direction drilling to minimise impact at landfalls and water courses.
- Nexans will be manufacturing the cable in Halden, Norway, and will install the 14km land and 53km subsea cable system between the substations.
Construction is set to get underway in September with the link expected to be energised in 2028.
Huw Jones, Executive Director, BAM Nuttall said:
“We’re delighted to get the green light for this vital upgrade to the UK’s energy network and to be working with our longstanding partner Siemens Energy to deliver sustainable energy infrastructure for SSEN Transmission. This project marks another important step in the journey to decarbonise our electricity grid, and we are looking forward to working alongside our partners to create a lasting legacy for the local community via the delivery of this critical infrastructure."
Deputy Project Director at SSEN Transmission, Ian Clark, said:
“We’re delighted to have awarded these crucial contracts to the Siemens Energy and BAM JV, Nexans and RJ McLeod for the delivery of the Orkney-Caithness Link project. All three have a strong track-record of project delivery and we’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with them.
“Early development and initial public consultation on this project started in 2017 and reaching this point – where we’re ready for construction to begin – is a testament to the hard work by the entire team at SSEN Transmission and our supply chain partners.”
“We’re now ready to get started with construction work at each end of the link in Finstown and Dounreay and will keep the communities informed as we make progress.”
As the project moves into mobilisation, SSEN Transmission and its partners will be working closely with the local community through the Community Liaison Group (CLG). As construction starts, the CLG helps to form a close link with the community and is vital for information sharing and two-way engagement between the project team and the community.
Mark Pilling, Vice President of Grid Solutions Europe at Siemens Energy, said:
“We’re pleased to be part of this project which helps unlock the potential of renewable energy in Scotland’s islands. I’m proud that substations and grid stabilisation technology from Siemens Energy will connect 220MW of clean energy to the grid, enough to power 250,000 homes. This project marks the continuation of a fantastic relationship with our Joint Venture Partner BAM, and our customer SSEN Transmission.”
With the supply chain in place, the Orkney-Caithness connection project now moves into its construction phase, with full energisation anticipated in 2028.
