Drop-in sessions are coming to Tiree and Coll to discuss plans for an under-sea cable connecting up to mainland electricity.
SSEN Distribution’s subsea cable team will be hosting the sessions to answer any questions regarding the planned 11 kilovolt submarine replacement cable connecting Tiree to the mainland electricity supply via Mull and Coll.
It is proposed that the new infrastructure will be installed on the seabed across Gunnar Sound between Crossapol Bay on Coll and Port Ruadh on Tiree, next summer.
The drop-ins are part of SSEN’s pre-application consultation ahead of the planned marine licence application later in the year.
Regular discussions have already been taking place with a variety of stakeholders, including NatureScot, RSPB, Marine Scotland and fishing representatives the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Scottish White Fish Producers Association and more local bodies.
The information events start today October 5 from 10.30am to 4.30pm at An Talla Community Hall, Crossapol, on Tiree and then from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday October 18 at An Cridhe Community Hall, Arinagour, on Coll.
Mel Chisholm who is the subsea team’s lead project manager said: “The current cable connecting Tiree to Coll is reaching the end of its operational life and was recently identified for replacement as part of our routine inspection programme. We are responsible for more than 450 kilometres of submarine electricity cable connecting over 60 Scottish islands to the mainland supply. Sometimes these are direct connections, however in the case of Tiree we need to connect via Mull and Coll.
“We are inviting local customers, whether they are landowners, fishermen or simply have an interest in our works, to pop along to our events and speak to our expert team members about any related issues or queries they may have. We have distributed information postcards, posters and newspaper adverts, with social media and radio adverts also inviting the community along.”
The current submarine electricity cable, which runs from Caolas Ban on Coll to Port Ruadh on Tiree was installed in 2013. It is estimated the proposed new cable will be 7.3 kilometres in length and weigh 27kg/m in air. The deepest sections of the crossing will see it sit at 16m in Gunna Sound.
Preparatory work on the planned cable route have included extensive land and marine environment surveys including breeding bird investigations and bathymetry studies. The subsea team will be able to show graphics of the proposed route and discuss environmental efforts at the above events.
Kevin Galbraith who is project director for Subsea Delivery, added: “Our team has been working on this proposed cable installation project for more than a year, collecting data from our extensive environmental surveys, engineering investigations and the advice of many, many key stakeholders.
“Discussions have also been held with community representatives and we are keen to gather further customer information. All these opinions and this information will help us to better develop the cable route and deliver a safe, resilient electricity supply to our customers.”