SSEN Transmission has announced that work has begun to identify an alternative site for their proposed Western Isles HVDC Connector Project.

The Project team is no longer actively progressing the Creed North site it previously consulted on for its proposed new HVDC Convertor Station and AC Substation, a key component for the Western Isles HVDC subsea link.

Following consultation on the proposed substation site last year, SSEN Transmission has received feedback from a range of local stakeholders, including the landowner, the Stornoway Trust; elected members; Marybank and Maryhill Community Association; the Stornoway Historical Society; the Stornoway Angling Association; local crofters and other local community interest groups and members.

SSEN Transmission welcomes the widespread support for the project need and in recognising the strength of feeling amongst the local community against the proposed siting of the substation at the Creed North location, SSEN Transmission is now actively exploring alternative sites. This work is ongoing with an update on the extended site selection process expected in the coming weeks.

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Colin Bell, Lead Project Manager, said: "Following feedback from a range of individuals and groups we can confirm that we are no longer actively progressing our previously identified preferred convertor station and substation site at Creed North.

"We would like to thank all stakeholders who kindly took the time to constructively provide their feedback and hope that our commitment to explore alternative sites helps address local concerns.

"Work to identify an alternative potential site is ongoing and to help inform this site selection process, our teams will continue to balance key environmental, technical and construction constraints, whilst seeking to minimise and where possible mitigate community and landscape impacts.

"We remain fully committed to engaging constructively with all stakeholders and look forward to presenting an update on our site selection process for further public consultation in the coming months."

Iain MacIver, Estate Factor at The Stornoway Trust, said: "SSEN Transmission's pledge to seek a more suitable location for the long-awaited convertor station is warmly welcomed and gratefully appreciated by the Trust.

"Dependent on our Island's renewable energy aspirations is the timely delivery of the key component on which the future of so many projects rely.

"As well as the Trust's continued support, other stakeholders must also play their part to enabling SSEN Transmission to find a more suitable solution."