Residents of Stromness and the surrounding area are invited to attend a drop-in event to gain insights into the ongoing construction of underground land cables for the Orkney-Caithness Link project.

The next phase of work, which commenced this month, involves constructing a stone platform at Warebeth for the subsea cable landfall, followed by the installation of approximately 14km of underground cable to the new substation in Finstown. New access roads will also be built to facilitate this phase, with efforts made to minimize disruption.

SSEN Transmission's cable team will host a drop-in session at Stromness Town Hall on Tuesday, March 18, from 2pm to 6pm. The event will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the project and ask questions about the land cable installation.

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Jeni Herbert, SSEN Transmission's Community Liaison Manager, said: "As we move to build the stone platform for where the cable will make landfall at Warebeth, install the new access road from Outertown Road as well as upgrade Clook Road, we'll see an increase in HGVs delivering materials to the project. We want to make the local community aware of these increased journeys from HGVs, and advise we'll do everything we can to minimise their impact during the month while these essential deliveries from Finstown Quarry take place. We're inviting members of the community along to a drop-in information session in Stromness next week where they can meet our cable project team, learn more about the next phase of work in the area, as well as answer any question they may have about the underground land cables. As ever we thank the local community for their patience and will endeavour to keep them informed as this phase of the Orkney Link Project progresses."

The Orkney-Caithness Link project involves constructing a new high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) system between Finstown in Orkney and Dounreay in Caithness. The 220MW capacity system will connect Orkney to the main transmission electricity grid, enabling two-way electricity flow and unlocking the island's renewable energy potential. The project includes new substations at Finstown and Dounreay, 53km of subsea cable, and approximately 14km of underground cable from Warebeth to Finstown.