Overview
Status: Operational Phase
Project Completion
We have completed the construction, commissioning and energisation of the new Caithness - Moray electricity transmission link after four years of construction. Watch this video to find out more about the project:
About the Project
The Caithness - Moray Link will use HVDC technology to transmit power through a 113km subsea cable in the Moray Firth, between converter stations at Spittal in Caithness and Blackhillock in Moray. The project involved work at eight substations and required two overhead line reinforcement projects.
This well established technology allows the efficient transmission of large volumes of electricity across long distances, and routing the cables across the Moray Firth rather than over land ensures greatly reduced visual impact. Reinforcement of the onshore transmission network between Dounreay and Mybster in the north and between Loch Buidhe and Beauly further south will also optimise the existing network along with the new cable.
Find Out More About Caithness HVDC Switching Station
Find Out More About New Spittal Area 400kV Substation
Find Out More About Blackhillock Substation
Project Elements
Along with the installation of the HVDC subsea cable, the project consisted of four further core elements. These encompass work at eight substation sites, two converter stations and two overhead line reinforcement projects.
- Spittal substation and HVDC convertor station
- HVDC subsea cable
- Dounreay to Mybster reinforcements
- Loch Buidhe to Beauly reinforcements
- Blackhillock substation and HVDC convertor station
Community Engagement
Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with local communities and keep people informed about what we are doing. This is particularly important when we are developing a proposal and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.
We endeavour to take the time to discuss proposals with local community councils, encourage engagement from the wider community and listen to the feedback we receive.
We will do our best to answer any questions and address issues or concerns that are raised with us.
When our project progresses into construction, we will continue working closely with the local community to ensure that our work has as little impact on the lives of those living and working in the area and as many long term positive effects as possible.
How we’re embracing artificial intelligence (AI)
We intend to use AI to assist our experienced teams in the analysis of your feedback, so we can categorise key points raised more quickly. You can learn more about how we’re utilising AI on this dedicated web page.
Project Updates
Project updates
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Completion of Caithness - Moray transmission link
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN Transmission), the wholly-owned subsidiary of SSE plc, has completed the construction, commissioning and energisation of the new Caithness-Moray electricity transmission link. -
Caithness-Moray project: Tower being taken down near Thurso
As part of ongoing work on the Caithness-Moray transmission link, SSEN are currently dismantling the 89 transmission towers between substations at Dounreay and Spittal which are no longer in operation, following their replacement with new versions which are more robust and have a higher load capacity. Taking down a steel tower (which can weigh up to 10 tonnes) requires rigorous safety procedures to be in place at all times, a key one of which is the exclusion zone around the towers to prevent any unauthorised access. To see one of the towers near Thurso coming down, click on the photo to the right. -
Half year results update
Colin Nicol, Managing Director of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, provides an update on the £1.1billion Caithness-Moray project.
Project FAQs
FAQs
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