finstown substation - orkney project · project, focussed on the substation at finstown, cable...

Finstown Substation- Orkney ProjectPublic Consultation July 2018

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Who we are

In total we maintain about 5,000km of overhead lines andunderground cables – easily enough to stretch across the Atlantic from John O’Groats all the way to Boston in the USA.

Our network crosses some of the UK’s most challengingterrain – including circuits that are buried under the seabed, are located over 750m above sea level and up to 250km long.

The landscape and environment that contribute to thechallenges we face also give the area a rich resource for renewable energy generation. There is a high demand to connect from new wind, hydro and marine generators which rely on Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks to provide a physical link between the new sources of power and electricity users. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is delivering a major programme of investment to ensure that the networkis ready to meet the needs of our customers in the future.

Our responsibilities

We have a licence for the transmission of electricity in the north of Scotland and we are closely regulated by the energy regulator Ofgem.

Our licence stipulates that we must develop and maintainan efficient, co-ordinated and economical system of electricity transmission.

What is the difference betweenTransmission and Distribution?

Electricity Transmission is the transportation of electricity from generating plants to where it is required at centres of demand.

The Electricity Transmission network, or grid, transports electricity at very high voltages through overhead lines, underground cables and subsea cables. The transmission network connects large scale generation, primarily renewables, to central and southern Scotland and the rest of Great Britain. It also helps secure supply by providing reliable connection to the wider network of generation plans.

The Electricity Distribution network is connected into the Transmission network but the voltage is lowered by transformers at electricity substations, and the power is then distributed to homes and businesses through overhead lines or underground cables.

Overview of Transmission projects

We are Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, operating under license as Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission) for the transmission of electricity in the north of Scotland.

03Finstown Substation - Orkney Project, Public Consultation July 2018

www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney


Finstown Substation - Orkney Project, Public Consultation July 2018

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www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney05



Existing network in Orkney

Why reinforcement is required

There is currently no transmission infrastructure on the Orkney Islands. The electricity network on Orkney is connected via two distribution subsea cables between Rackwick Bay on Hoy, and Murkle Bay near Thurso.

These cables were installed in 1982 and 1998 with a total import/ export capacity of 40MW. Demand on the islands varies between 7MW in summer and 46MW in winter. The current connected embedded generation in Orkney exceeds the capacity of the existing 33kV cables and no further generation can connect to the system at this time.

At present, the current level of contracted generation between National Grid (the system operator) and developers is for a minimum of 180MW of new generation by 2022.

To connect this level of generation, a transmission connection is needed between Orkney and the Scottish Mainland.

An alternative approach

To proceed with a transmission connection first requires regulatory approval from Ofgem, which in turn requires the contracted developers to financially commit to their projects. The current regulatory framework requires capacity to be allocated in chronological order based on respective developers contracted position.

Due to a number of factors over recent years, such as changes in government policy or the readiness and commercial viability of renewable energy projects across Orkney, it has not been possible to proceed with the transmission proposal through the current regulatory process.

To try and overcome this impasse and help Orkney realise its vast renewables potential, we are considering an alternative approach to allocate the necessary volume of capacity that is required to underpin the case for the proposed 180MW Phase 1 connection. This approach would see capacity allocated on a ready to connect basis, whereby those developers who are ready to commit to their projects would be allocated capacity.

This innovative approach, would first require approval from both the energy regulator, Ofgem, and the System Operator, National Grid.

What new infrastructure is proposed?

In order to provide a transmission connection that will facilitate the connection of renewable generation, a marine cable linking Mainland Orkney and Caithness will be required. The new link would provide an additional 180MW of capacity.

The proposed main elements of this project are as follows:• A new substation at Finstown;• An underground cable linking Finstown substation to a cable landing site west of Stromness;• A marine cable linking Mainland Orkney and Caithness;• A new cable route between the Dounreay marine cable landing point and the new substation at Dounreay West; and• Construction of a new substation at Dounreay West.

Public Consultation took place in November 2017 on the Orkney project, focussed on the substation at Finstown, cable route and potential overhead line routes.

Further consultation was held in April/May 2018, with the main focus being trident overhead line routes.

Further public consultation events are planned for late September 2018, and will include Finstown Substation, the submarine cable and overhead line connections.

The September consultation events will be the final opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals for Finstown substation and the submarine cable ahead of the substation planning application submission and Marine Licence application in November 2018.

Proposed Finstown Substation - what has happened so far?

To identify a site suitable for the proposed substation development, a site search area was identified to the west of Finstown village. Site walkovers and desk-based assessment identified four potential substation sites requiring further detailed assessment.

Each of the four sites was then subject to a detailed environmental, technical and cost assessment, in line with SHET’s internal site selection guidance.

This assessment was supported by:

• Desk Studies • Site Walkovers • Ecology Surveys

• Bird Surveys • Peat Probing

Given the location of the proposed substation, landscape and visual impact assessments were undertaken for each of the four sites, and consideration was given to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and Hoy and West Mainland National Scenic area as part of this assessment.

The potential substation site options were presented to Stakeholders and the public in late 2017, which included a number of public events held in November 2017 at various locations in Orkney.

The consultation events attracted over 102 members of the public from Orkney. In almost all cases, visitors were satisfied with the answers provided during the event. Given the early stage in the design process, it was not possible to answer all questions, although feedback from the public was considered as part of the ongoing design process.

From the analysis of the feedback, we understand that there is a strong sense of concern around the visual impact of the project and what effect this may have on the tourist industry. Other concerns noted include the impact the project would have on local residents and the practical outworking of ‘ready to connect’ mechanism.

Following detailed assessment, Site FT2 located to the west of Finstown village was identified as the proposed substation site, and was taken forward to outline design.

Environmental and engineering surveys and investigations

Following the initial surveys to support the site selection process, a number of other surveys and investigations have taken place at the proposed Finstown Substation site, and these include:

• BirdSurveys• OtterSurveys• Habitatandvegetationsurveys• NoiseSurveys• Groundinvestigation(boreholesandtrialpits); and • Archaeologysitewalkoversandgeophysics

These surveys and investigations are essential to understanding the current environmental conditions and ground conditions at the site. This will ensure that detailed design of the substation can take place in a way which minimises impact on the environment, and will also allow suitable mitigation measures to be put in place during construction.

ORCA have been engaged to carry out further archaeology surveys including trial trenching which are planned for late summer/early autumn 2018 to investigate the potential for unknown buried archaeology in the western part of the site.

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www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney Finstown Substation - Orkney Project, Public Consultation July 2018


Indicative design of the substation

• Planningapplicationboundarywhichincludesoperationaland temporary works is 33.32Ha

• Operationalarea(substationplatform)is5.65Ha

• Substationplatformdimensions:285x253m(irregularL-shapedarea)

• Substationbuildingheights:varybetween5.5mand14.5m

Substation DimensionsAs well as technical requirements, landscape and visual impact, and environmental issues more generally have been considered as an integral part of the outline design process.

These have helped to drive the proposed layout and the location and orientation of the proposed substation platform and buildings.

Key considerations

Landscape: aim to minimise adverse landscape effects

• Positionthebuildingsintotheside of the hill and create a naturalistic landform to the north and west of the site;

• Designplatformlevelsaslowas possible without compromising drainage and creating any risk of flooding within the site;

• Seednewlandformswithnative species mix appropriate to location, maximising the potential for habitat creation

Visual: aim to minimise adverse visual effects

• Positionthesitesothatasfar as practicable the buildings will be seen against a backdrop of hills and limit the buildings significantly changing the horizon;

• Introducesmallareasofnative planting to increase screening /filtering of views from closest properties;

• Locatethesubstationplatform to limit any exposed rock cuttings being visible;

• Locatesecurityfencingasfar as possible behind landscape landforms to minimise visibility

Biodiversityand other

• Microsite the substation to avoid encroaching into particularly sensitive areas i.e. deep peat to the south or the better arable fields to the north;

• Seed new landforms with native species mix appropriate to location, maximising the potential for habitat creation; • Introduce limited amounts of native scrub and tree planting; • Design re-routed drainage channels as natural burns and wetland features;

• Locatethenoisierpiecesof electrical equipment as far away as possible from the closest houses (Note: because the equipment is housed in buildings, this will also reduce noise levels).

The detailed design process is still ongoing. Key activities include:

• Further development of substation design and layout. All the proposed substation equipment will be housed indoors to protect against corrosion. The design process has taken account of operational and health and safety requirements for buildings, constructability and drainage requirements from substation platform.

• Contractors invited to bid and provide tender submissions for substation design and construction. Tender reviews ongoing and contract award planned for mid 2019.

• Review of two potential access road route options to the substation. The access road alignment route to the North of the proposed site is the preferred option as this route is considered to have less impact on the environment and require less traffic movements/ disruption.

• Minimising the land take and visual impact during construction by avoiding a large construction compound adjacent to the A965 public road. The construction compound will be screened and located closer to the substation site.

As part of detailed design, and following feedback from Orkney Islands Council, Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, architecture and landscape architect design will be considered in detail to ensure that the design is sympathetic to the surrounding landscape and environment, while keeping the design functional.

In particular, building form, colour, and use of local materials will be considered, as well as the construction of landscaping to the north and west of the site, which will help to reduce the apparent height of the taller buildings when viewed from properties, roads and the World Heritage Site to the north and west.

Detailed design process

New road bellmouthto be created.

Proposed construction andpermanent access track.

Area of rock cutting to make space for substation platform.

Area for Cable and overhead lineconnecting to the substation site.

Area for gently sloping landscaping and planting. This will partly screenthe substation when viewed from

the north and west.

SUDS pond.

Alternative construction compound.

Possible construction compound.

Diversion to drainage channel needed.

Substation platform and operational area.

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Visualisations ofProposed Substation

The following visualisations are from publicly accessible viewpoints highlighted in red on the map.

These visualisations show general principles and landscaping design may vary as cut / fill balance is refined.

View from position 1 View from position 5

View from position 2

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Aerial view of proposedFinstown Substation

A proposed 220kV cable route has been developed from the proposed substation site at Finstown to a coastal landfall area west of Stromness, near Warebeth.

Cables are generally installed using an open cut technique laid at 1.2m to the top of the cable. A construction corridor of 50m is required to facilitate the works which will be reinstated after use. Due to the long length of the cable circuit there will be several joint positions where link pillars will be sited above ground or buried in underground chamber. The cabling works are expected to take around 18 months to complete.

Contractors have been invited to bid and provide tender submissions for the cable design and construction. Tender reviews will be undertaken and contract award planned for mid 2019. The Contractors will be required to provide access assessments for the proposed cable construction and detail any road improvements that may be required to facilitate the works.

The route chosen is considered to be most direct and constructable route, aiming to minimise the impact and disruption to the environment, local communities and public road network.

Discussions with landowners about the route are also ongoing. The route was selected following a series of detailed walkovers and taking account of environmental designations, settlements and individual properties and the coastline itself to the south. The route where possible, has avoided areas of peat and marshland.AnoverheadLIDARsurvey was also completed over the route corridor to assist in further route mirco-siting.

The main constraints identified on the route are the water crossing at the Brig O’ Waithe and the multiple archaeology locations.

Traversing the water crossing at the Brig O’ Waithe will be with horizontal direction drilling beneath the water.

A submarine cable forms a key part of the connection between Orkney mainland and Caithness, The preferred option is a route between Warbeth in Orkney and land to the West of Dounreay in Caithness.

During Spring 2018 and extensive and detailed marine Survey was commissioned which surveyed a corridor approximately 1KM wide. This survey looked at

• Benthic Habitats, using Acoustic, grabs samples and drop down cameras• Bathymetry, using Acoustic /geophysical sensors to create a 3D model of the seabed• Geology, looking at the shallow geology and sediment thickness• Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), looking to identify possible UXO near the route.

The results from the survey were used to identify a route that optimised cable burial, avoided sensitive habitats, steep slopes and wrecks. The key outcome was to develop a route that complied with Scotland Marine Spatial plan and minimised long-term disruption to other legitimate sea users.

Cable routes

Marine cable route

12www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney

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Project timeline - Finstown Substation

Late 2017

Summer 2018

November 2018

Spring 2019

2022

Strategic Options Assessment

Stakeholder and PublicConsultation Events

Stakeholder and PublicConsultation Events

Formal Consent Consultationsw/c 24th September 2018

Selection of preferred route between Orkney to Caithness

Substation Site Selection

Substation Detailed Design

Prepare Planning Application

Submit Planning Application

Planning Permission Granted - Construction Begins Autumn 2019

Substation Commissioning

Notes

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Thank you for taking the time to attend this consultation event. In order to record your views and improve theeffectiveness of our consultation, please complete this short feedback form.

Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS. (Please tick one box per question only)

Your Feedback

Q1 Do you agree with the proposed substation site at Finstown?

Yes No Unsure

Q3 Do you have any comments on the proposed substation access point?

Q4 Are there any additional factors, issues or concerns which you wish to bring to the attention of the Project Team?

Q2 Do you have any comments on the photomontages and 3D model presented for the proposed substation site at Finstown?




Feedback

We understand and recognise the value of the feedback provided by members of the public during all engagements and consultations. Without this valuable feedback, the project development team would be unable to progress projects and reach a balanced proposal.

We are keen to receive your views and comments in regards to the following questions:

• Do you agree with the proposed substation site at Finstown?

• Do you have any comments on the photomontages and 3D model presented for the proposed substation site at Finstown?

• Do you have any comments on the proposed substation access point?

• Are there any additional factors, issues or concerns which you wish to bring to the attention of the Project Team?

• Is there any additional information you would like to see at the next consultation event in September?

• Any other comments?

Additional information

Information will also be made available via the project webpage and social media channels:

Project Website:www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney

Follow us on Twitter:@ssencommunity

Follow us on Facebook:@ssencommunity

Community Liaison ManagerLesley Dow

[email protected]

07876 837 490

LesleyDowScottish and SouthernElectricity Networks,Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road,Perth, PH1 3AQ

Comments

Your views and comments can be provided to the project team bycompletingafeedbackformorbywritingtoLesleyDow,CommunityLiaisonManager.

We will be seeking feedback from members of the public and Statutory Bodies until 16:00, Friday 17th August 2018.

All feedback received will be reviewed by the project team and, where appropriate, will be used to inform further detailed design of the development.

Please use the space below to provide further comments:

Full name

Postcode

Telephone

Email

If you would like to be kept informed of progress on the project please tick this box.

If you would like your comments to remain anonymous please tick this box.

Address

Thank you for taking the time to complete this feedback form.

Please hand your completed form in at the event or alternatively by one of the methods below:

Post: LesleyDow,ScottishandSouthernElectricityNetworks,InveralmondHouse,200DunkeldRoad,Perth,PH13AQ Email: [email protected]

Closing date for feedback is 16:00, Friday 17th August 2018.

The feedback form and all information provided at the event can also be downloaded from the dedicated website:www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney

Any information given on the feedback form can be used and published anonymously as part of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks consultation report. By completing this feedback form you consent to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks using feedback for this purpose.

ScottishandSouthernElectricityNetworksisatradingnameof:ScottishandSouthernEnergyPowerDistributionLimitedRegisteredinScotlandNo.SC213459; Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Registered in Scotland No. SC213461; Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc Registered in Scotland No. SC213460; (all having their Registered Offices at Inveralmond House 200 Dunkeld Road Perth PH1 3AQ); and Southern Electric Power Distribution plc Registered in England & Wales No. 04094290 having its Registered Office at Number One Forbury Place, 43 Forbury Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3JH which are members of the SSE Group.

Q5 Is there any additional information you would like to see at the next consultation event in September?

Did you attend the Public Consultation Event at Finstown? Yes No

finstown substation - orkney project · project, focussed on the substation at finstown, cable...

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