SSEN Distribution will begin work on the upgrade of the electricity infrastructure on Corran Narrows at the end of this month.

The essential work will see three new power cables installed under Loch Linnhe and 6km of overhead lines replaced with new underground cables.

To help minimise disruption to local homes and businesses, and in particular the busy Corran Narrows channel across Loch Linnhe, SSEN's delivery team will be using Horizontal Directional Drills (HDD) to bore the route for the new cables under the seabed.

Specialist contractors O'Connor Utilities will be bringing their HDD expertise to the programme, having recently completed a twin crossing of Cork Harbour in Ireland, and prior to starting work on the HS2 high-speed rail link, one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects for the next decade.

Drilling will begin in the field at Bunree, behind the Corran Bunkhouse, and run approximately 15 metres beneath Loch Linnhe before emerging on the opposite shore behind the Ardgour Lighthouse.

Mel Chisholm, SSEN's Lead Project Manager for the Submarine Cables team, explains how the project will help maintain the security of electricity supplies for local customers: "We're planning to install three ducts by drilling right underneath Loch Linnhe. All three of the ducts will have cables in them, but as only two out of the three are required to deliver the power to our customers, having a third cable already in place adds extra resilience to our network. The project is highly technical, and that's why we're working with a leading contractor in the field to deliver this important programme of works."

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As well as delivering long-term security of supply for dozens of communities across the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the project has already identified several environmental and economic benefits:

• Utilising local sub-contractors where possible

• Replacing more than 30 overhead power line spans with underground cabling 

• Minimising disruption to local mariners by drilling underneath Loch Linnhe, rather than laying the cable on the bed of the loch, especially important to the essential Corran Ferry service

• Removing swathes of thick, invasive rhododendron bushes to install the new underground cable, and

• Following a request from the Ardgour community, teams removed 1km of rhododendron that had been blocking and important local walking track

• Installing new stock-proof fence to support local crofters raising traditional Highland Cattle

Samantha Thomson, Chair, Ardgour Community Council, added: "We have been delighted by the support offered by SSEN Distribution's Corran Narrows team to the Ardgour community,  from the very first stages of this project.

"While carrying out ground preparation works, we asked if they could assist in cutting back bushes that had taken over a local path and were restricting access for local walkers. The team was happy to help out and asked their contractor to cut back the rhododendron which has made a huge difference. During lockdown our local paths have been an especially important local asset, enjoyed by many, and the support from the Corran Narrows Project Team was a great boost to our local paths project. 

"They have been very supportive in the area and we look forward to continuing working with them in the future."