SSEN Transmission has submitted a Section 37 planning application to the Scottish Government for the 132kV electricity transmission network overhead line infrastructure that will connect Shetland to the GB energy system.

Two 22km circuits, which will be a combination of overhead line and underground cabling, will provide a connection between the proposed Gremista GSP and Kergord substation, which is currently in construction as part of the Shetland HVDC link. Upon completion, this will provide a connection to Shetland's local electricity distribution network, connecting the islands to the GB energy system for the first time, helping secure Shetland's future security of supply.

The Kergord-Gremista connection follows extensive local consultation which has helped shape the project's design.

At the Kergord end of the two circuits, the 132kV infrastructure will be undergrounded for around 5.8km, with another 900m section of one of the circuits to be undergrounded at Sweenister. As the transmission circuits approach and connect to Gremista GSP, the two circuits will be undergrounded covering a distance of 4.1km in total.

SSEN Transmission has also committed to underground around 11km of existing 33kV electricity distribution overhead network infrastructure running in parallel with the proposed 132kV overhead lines and 500m of existing electricity 11kV distribution overhead network infrastructure, reducing the cumulative visual impact of overhead network infrastructure on Shetland's landscape.

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In total, around half of the proposed 132kV connection is to be undergrounded which when coupled with the undergrounding of existing electricity distribution infrastructure, strikes a balance between minimising visual impacts on Shetland's landscape; mitigating potential environmental impacts, particularly on protected species of birds; and protecting electricity consumers from the high costs associated with undergrounding.

Submission of the Kergord-Gremista 132kV connection Section 37 planning application follows last year's planning submission to Shetland Islands Council for Gremista GSP.

The proposed site, which has been identified as a suitable area for development in Shetland Island Council's Local Development Plan, has been carefully selected due to its close proximity to the existing industrial infrastructure in the Black Hill Industrial Estate, with the GSP proportionate to existing buildings; and where the GSP will connect to Shetland's existing electricity distribution network.

Separately, SSEN Transmission recently submitted a funding request to the GB energy regulator, Ofgem, under Ofgem's Medium Sized Investment Project (MSIP) Uncertainty Mechanism, for the allowance required for both the Kergord-Gremista 132kV connection and Gremista GSP.

Grant Smith, Lead Project Manager, said: "The submission of our Section 37 planning application for the Kergord to Gremista 132kV transmission circuit which follows last year's planning application for Gremista Grid Supply Point, alongside our recent funding request to Ofgem, marks a major milestone in helping secure Shetland's future security of supply.

"Upon completion, these projects will connect Shetland to the GB energy system for the first time and will enable the supply of clean power to homes and businesses, even at times when local generation on Shetland's electricity distribution network does not meet demand.

"Our proposals have been carefully developed to minimise the impact on Shetland homes, businesses and the local landscape as we have sought to balance a range of economic, environmental and technical factors.

"We look forward to the outcome of our planning applications and remain committed to working closely with Shetland Islands Council, the local community and wider stakeholders to deliver this critical infrastructure to support Shetland's future energy needs."