en.Wedoany.com Reported - Preparatory work for the onshore cable section of the Western Isles HVDC Link, which supports a 1.8 GW transmission capacity, will commence on June 8. This project will, for the first time, connect the Western Isles of Scotland to the UK national transmission network.

The transmission line includes approximately 83 km of underground cable and 81 km of submarine cable, connecting SSEN Transmission's Lewis Hub HVDC converter station on the Isle of Lewis and the island's AC substation to the mainland.

Highland-based contractor RJ McLeod will carry out the preparatory work, focusing on preparing the route between Dundonnell and Beauly ahead of the main construction phase later this year. The scope of work includes providing access, improving local roads to support cable installation, establishing temporary construction sites, and carrying out specific tree felling, all as part of permitted development activities.

Niall Macleod, SSEN Transmission Project Director, stated that these preparatory works under permitted development are an important early step in delivering the onshore cable section of the Western Isles HVDC Link, and emphasized that it is gratifying that this phase will be completed by a local contractor, supporting jobs and economic activity, in line with the company's commitment as the first organization to sign the Highland Social Value Charter.

This project is a key component of SSEN Transmission's planned £22 billion investment to upgrade the electricity network in northern Scotland. The Scottish Government Marine Directorate approved changes to the existing marine license for the submarine cable connection, originally granted in 2021, in early 2026, giving the green light for the required capacity increase.

Hitachi Energy will be responsible for delivering the project's HVDC converter stations, and NKT will deliver the cable system.

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