Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution's has welcomed the successful installation of a new subsea cable, which is already suppling power to communities across Coll from the mainland via Mull.

SSEN's subsea team, working with contractors Briggs Marine, installed the replacement 11 kilovolt (kV) submarine cable in October last year. Following the completion of shore end works and connection into the land network, the cable was gradually energised over the weekend.

The newly laid cable has been carefully placed on the seabed between Langamull on Mull and Sorisdale on the Isle of Coll. The infrastructure is designed to deliver generational security of supply to some of Scotland's most remote communities on the Hebridean island.

Mel Chisholm, SSEN subsea team's Lead Project Manager said: "As part of our routine inspection programme we identified that the existing cable connecting Coll to the mainland supply was reaching the end of its operational lifetime. The careful planning, design and engagement with communities and landowners on both islands has taken a number of years. Our specialist contractor, Briggs Marine installed the cable, from the MV Elektron, along the planned route. The cable has been buried in pre-identified locations, providing additional protection for the infrastructure and helping to safeguard local marine users. Our team has worked to keep the local fishing community updated on the project throughout. SSEN would like to take this opportunity to thank communities on both Mull and Coll for their continued patience and support while this essential project is delivered."

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As part of the Subsea team's engagement efforts, they worked with expert Archaeologist Kevin Mooney, from contractors WSP, and Comunn Eachdraidh Cholla (Coll History Society) to deliver a unique oral history project. The study, Connecting Coll: Powering the Past focuses on the introduction of electricity to the island nearly fifty years ago, with members of the community providing their accounts as connections swept across Coll. As each house was connected ‘Electric Ceilidhs' were held in celebration.

The replacement cable will boost the security of supply to the island, powering communities for generations to come. The delicate cable lay operation was delayed by heavy seas and strong winds. The cable, which can weigh as much as 52kg/m in air, was slowly reeled off the back of the Elektron from a giant carousel placed in the middle of the vessel's deck. As the inshore elements of the cable were reeled out, they were floated on the surface using metre-long pillow floats. Skilled divers then deflated the floats and manoeuvred the cable into the planned route on the seabed. An onshore winch, about the size of a small car, pulls the cable into place to be connected to the land-based network.

At Langamull, where the cable comes ashore on Mull, Subsea Projects Environment Manager Dr Katy Urquhart and her team are working to preserve the delicate machair habitat. Working with contractors Briggs Marine they have made every effort to carefully lift and separate the layers of soil, lay the land cable, and replace the strata back in its entirety to its original state.

Speaking on behalf of Coll Community Council, Community Cllr Jane Metcalfe added: "The SSEN project team has kept the community informed of the project's progress, working closely with Coll Community Council and the local landowner. They have also supported members of the community, working with Comunn Eachdraidh Cholla (Coll History Society) in the delivery of an oral history project to record memories of island life before electricity arrived in the mid-1970s."