Western Isles

To support continued growth in onshore and offshore renewable energy across northern Scotland and advance the United Kingdom’s net-zero goals, investment in transmission infrastructure is critical. The Western Isles possess some of Scotland’s strongest renewable energy resources, particularly wind. However, the existing network is operating at full capacity, limiting the connection of additional generation and constraining the region’s contribution to national clean energy targets.

The project applies a 2,000 MW, ±525 kV HVDC transmission system to enable efficient long-distance power transfer. Renewable energy resources in and around the Western Isles will be connected to the Great Britain transmission system through the development of an HVDC converter station and an AC substation near Stornoway. Approximately 4 km of underground HVDC cable will extend to the landfall at Arnish Point, followed by an 81 km subsea HVDC cable link to Dundonnell on the Scottish mainland. From there, around 80 km of underground HVDC cable will connect Dundonnell to a new mainland HVDC converter station near Beauly.

Together, these elements establish a long-distance, high-capacity transmission corridor that expands grid connection capability, unlocks significant renewable energy potential, and reduces reliance on diesel-powered electricity generation.