Western Isles

Western Isles connection
The proposed Western Isles Connection is being developed to enable renewable energy generated on the Western Isles to connect to the electrical transmission system within mainland Scotland. This connection will transmit electricity using high voltage direct current (HVDC) and comprise of an underground cable section between Beauly and Little Loch Broom, a subsea cable across the Minch and a small section of underground cable on the Isle of Lewis.

A special substation, known as a converter station, will be required at Beauly and Grabhair (Lewis) to convert the electricity between alternating current and direct current.  Planning consent has not yet been obtained for the required works at Beauly and is presently subject to appeal.

Lewis Infrastructure
SHETL is proposing the development of a high voltage subsea transmission cable between Grabhair and Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The proposed circuit would operate at 132 kilovolts (kV) and would consist of:

• a section of underground cable from the converter station at Grabhair to the head of Loch Odhairn; and
• a subsea cable from Loch Odhairn to Arnish and an overhead line from Arnish to Stornoway substation, which will need to be rebuilt and extended to accommodate the new circuit.

Files relating to this project can be found below:

    Stornoway Substation Site Plan (March 2010) (801 KB)
    Subsea Cable Route Grabhair to Arnish (March 2010) (1.80 MB)
    Overhead Line Route (March 2010) (4.78 MB)
    Letter advising of route decision (30 October 2009) (8 KB)
    Proposed subsea route (30 October 2009) (1.93 MB)

Other enquiries about the Western Isles project should be directed to:

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Research enquiries
Unfortunately, we don't have the resources to respond to these individually, but we have made as much information as possible available on this site to assist your research.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Ross Easton at SSE on +44 (0)845 0760 530

General enquiries can be sent to:
Ross Easton, Corporate Affairs
SSE | Inveralmond House 200 Dunkeld Road Perth PH1 3AQ UK

T: +44 (0)77678 51700
E: ross.easton@sse.com