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Utility proposes 220-kV subsea line to link islands to Scottish mainland

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Utility proposes 220-kV subsea line to link islands to Scottish mainland

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks submitted a "final needs case" to the U.K. energy regulatory body, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, seeking approval of a subsea cable transmission link from the Orkney Islands to the Scottish mainland.

SSEN proposed a phased electric reinforcement in the form of a single 220-kV subsea cable to be in service by October 2022, followed by another similar transmission line once further generation has been committed and the economic case has been made for the additional investment, the company said in a March 5 news release.

The Orkney Islands are off the northeastern coast of Scotland and have become a center for developing wind and tidal electricity generation. The islands' grid is now at capacity, SSEN said.

SSEN is asking the regulator to approve an "alternative approach" to typical arrangements, which are premised on the idea that the first party to sign a contract for transmission capacity is the first allowed to connect, even if other generating units are completed earlier. The company is proposing to allocate transmission capacity on a "ready to connect" basis. "This will allow customers who are ready to connect to progress quicker; and ensure the new capacity is fully utilized," it said, adding that a commitment of 70 MW would be sufficient to demonstrate that the benefits to customers will be greater than the cost of the investment in the transmission line.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is a name used by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd. and three electric distribution companies that serve 3.7 million customers in portions of Scotland and England. The companies are all part of SSE plc.