SSEN Transmission will host public information events in Aberdeenshire later this month to present proposals for a new substation and converter station to the north‑east of Huntly.

The proposals sit within the planned Shetland HVDC Link 2, a subsea electricity transmission connection between Shetland and Aberdeenshire. The link is intended to carry clean, renewable energy produced in Shetland to homes and businesses across Shetland, the Scottish mainland and the wider UK.

At the heart of the plans is the Strathbogie Hub: a new 400kV Alternating Current substation alongside a High Voltage Direct Current converter station near Huntly. An underground HVDC cable of around 30km is proposed to run from the Aberdeenshire coast to the hub, providing the infrastructure to connect the Shetland 2 Link into the wider transmission network.

The information events will take place on Wednesday 27 May 2026 from 3–7pm at the Linden Centre, Castle Street, Huntly; and on Thursday 28 May 2026 from 3–7pm at Scott Hall, Forgue.

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Attendees will be able to review the project details and the site options under consideration, speak directly with members of the project team and share feedback. Input from the community will help inform ongoing site selection and assessments, alongside environmental and technical studies.

The proposals form part of a wider upgrade of the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland, which SSEN Transmission says will support significant employment, deliver long-term benefits for local communities and underpin Scotland and the UK's clean power and energy security goals.

David Inge, Development Portfolio Manager at SSEN Transmission, said: "We are pleased to be holding these information events to share our early‑stage plans for the proposed Strathbogie Hub, which would include a new AC substation and HVDC converter station to the north‑east of Huntly - connecting homes and business to cleaner and more secure sources of power.

"We are currently at an early stage of the site and route selection process, and we want to hear from the local community so their views can be considered alongside the environmental and technical factors that will shape the project.

"These events will give people the opportunity to learn more about our proposals, ask questions and share their feedback. We would encourage anyone with an interest in the project to attend."

Further information on the Strathbogie Hub and the Shetland HVDC Link 2 project is available via SSEN Transmission's project pages. The Shetland 2 Project is also the anchor for Sumitomo's investment in a new cable manufacturing facility at Nigg, providing a significant jobs boost for the Scottish Highlands.