Major subsea cable link project moves into construction phase, with local contractors Nicol of Skene and John Gunn and Sons delivering works in Aberdeenshire and Caithness
Construction work is now underway on SSEN Transmission’s Spittal to Peterhead Link, marking an important step forward in the delivery of the major subsea cable project connecting Caithness with Aberdeenshire.
Once complete, the 2GW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link will provide a secure and efficient route for electricity to flow from areas of renewable generation to consumers across the country. It will also play a vital role in supporting Scotland and the UK’s clean power and energy security ambitions.
The project will deliver substantial economic benefits, with local contractors Nicol of Skene and John Gunn and Sons delivering onshore cable works at Rattray Head near Peterhead and at Sinclair’s Bay in Caithness respectively.
Last year, representatives from both companies gathered for a groundbreaking event to mark the start of early enabling works. Since then, the project has made strong progress.
At Rattray Head, Nicol of Skene has commenced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and duct installation works in preparation for onshore cable installation and is now constructing the main works compound. Access, compound construction and power connection works are ongoing ahead of landfall HDD, which is due to begin in the summer to support marine cable installation.
Similarly positive progress is being made along the northern section of the route in Caithness. John Gunn and Sons are well advanced in delivering early enabling works and have commenced some main construction activities, including access road and HDD works, with the main works compound expected to be operational in the coming weeks.
Staff from SSEN Transmission and its contractors, NKT and John Gunn & Sons, recently took part in a safety exercise at the Caithness end of the cable link. Safety is central to the project, with everyone encouraged to speak up, pause work if needed, and make safe decisions every day.
Niall MacLeod, Project Director for the Spittal to Peterhead project, said, “We’re making strong progress across the Spittal to Peterhead Link, reflecting the strong collaborative approach between SSEN Transmission, principal contractor NKT, and our delivery partners Nicol of Skene and John Gunn and Sons.
Close working relationships across the project team are supporting safe, high‑quality construction activity on the ground and helping to lay strong foundations for the next phase of the project. The momentum being seen across both the northern and southern sections of the route demonstrates what can be achieved through clear planning, strong leadership and effective partnership working, all while keeping safety at the heart of everything we do.
With main works now underway, the project is moving steadily towards the start of landfall horizontal directional drilling activities this summer.”
Headline Image – Work is progressing well at Rattray Head, with construction of a new access road to the cable landfall location now underway and HDD activities have commenced. The main works satellite compound is shown on the right.