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SSEN Distribution's North Shetland Reinforcement Project is moving forward with cable installation scheduled to commence on 16 June.
To provide local communities with detailed information, the project team will host a series of public information events on 27 and 28 May.
The project, first announced last Autumn, involves teams from OCU installing two new High Voltage cables along a 43km route connecting Gremista to the north of Mainland Shetland. With a portion of these works taking place on public roads, both SSEN Distribution and OCU are keen to ensure residents have ample advance notice of the work locations and timelines.
Community engagement for this major infrastructure upgrade began in October with drop-in events in Brae and Lerwick during the development stage. The upcoming sessions will offer an opportunity to meet the project team, learn more about the recently confirmed construction timeline, and understand the benefits the project will bring to local homes and businesses.
Steve Cowie, Project Manager for SSEN Distribution, stated: “This project involves a significant infrastructure upgrade for Mainland Shetland and will increase network capacity for future development in support of the uptake of low carbon technologies, as well as helping to improve the reliability and security of the power supply for communities across the islands."
David Forrest, Operations Project Manager, OCU Group, added: "We have been engaging with local supply chain and will be mobilising local teams to begin enabling works along sections of the carriageway from 16 June onwards. We're also working with the Shetland Island Council Roads Service to ensure communities have advance notice of the works, and the upcoming engagement events will be a valuable opportunity to meet local people and explain more about the works we have planned."
SSEN Distribution has confirmed that the 43km cable route will utilise a mix of private land and public highways, with the overall installation expected to take approximately two years. The advanced cabling works, covering a 12km section, are anticipated to last around nine months, involving a rolling programme of works in sections of approximately 500m at a time.
