UK, Scotland, Orkney: SSEN Distribution has announced details of a major investment in Orkney’s local electricity network, which connects homes and businesses across the islands to the grid.
The programme will improve network reliability and provide additional capacity to support future economic growth, electrification and renewable energy export. The works will be delivered with contract partner Freedom.
The projects include the construction of new substations, reinforcement and upgrading of existing overhead lines on wooden poles, and the installation of several kilometres of new underground cabling. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027, with overall completion anticipated around the turn of the decade.
The planned works include a new Grid Supply Point at Finstown, which will become the main link between Orkney’s distribution network and the wider electricity transmission system. Reinforcement at St Mary’s will improve the reliability and capacity of supplies to South Ronaldsay, Burray, Lamb Holm and Gibbs Holm. A new primary substation at New Hatston will create an enlarged network hub to support rising electricity demand in and around Kirkwall.
The combined investment for these three projects is estimated at around $74 M (£55 M).
SSEN Distribution will also deliver a new electricity connection for Quanterness Wind Farm, helping locally generated clean power reach the wider network. Plans are being developed with Orkney Islands Council to combine parts of the wind farm connection with the Hatston upgrade to improve delivery efficiency and reduce disruption.
The upgrades will support more resilient local supplies, enable new EV chargers and heat pumps, and increase capacity for exporting renewable power.
Source: SSEN
