Fugro Starts Site Surveys for SSEN’s Western Isles Power Link

Fugro has started integrated nearshore site investigations for SSEN Transmission’s Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Link, a power transmission project designed to transfer renewable electricity from Scotland’s islands to the UK mainland.

The Western Isles HVDC Link will enable the transmission of up to 1,800 MW of renewable energy and is intended to strengthen the UK’s electricity network by connecting the Western Isles to the mainland grid.

The project will comprise around 83 kilometers of underground cable and 81 kilometer’s of subsea cable, linking SSEN Transmission’s Lewis Hub HVDC converter station and AC substation on the Isle of Lewis to the mainland.

Fugro’s scope includes nearshore geophysical and geotechnical investigations to support the design and construction of cable landfalls, where subsea cables come ashore. The work is being carried out using Fugro’s ARAN 250 specialist jack-up platform, which is designed for operations in shallow water.

Investigations include drilling and testing at several potential landfall locations near Arnish Point on the Isle of Lewis and at Dundonnell on the Scottish mainland. Soil samples collected during the campaign will be analysed at