In order to take the power generated out at sea to the homes and industry where it will be used, three cable circuits will be installed, firstly, below the seabed from the offshore wind farm to the Aberdeenshire coast, and then underground, from the coastline between Banff and Whitehills to a new substation south of New Deer.
The onshore works can be broadly divided into three different sections, and leaflets have been produced which provide information about the activities undertaken at each site:
The cable circuits will come ashore on the coast between Banff and Whitehills. They will be installed below ground, so after works are complete, there will be no obvious signs of their presence.
Cable Landfall Leaflet Download
The cable will follow a 33km route which has been selected to optimise installation with minimal environmental impact. After re-instatement, the only visual evidence of the infrastructure will be cable identification signage and occasional underground access covers.
Underground Cable installation Leaflet Download
Works at the substation site in New Deer have commenced. This is a major engineering project in itself, which started with enabling works such as establishing access from the public road network, stripping topsoil and associated heavy earthworks such as building landscaping bunds and undertaking appropriate drainage arrangements. Temporary storage compounds have been established for vehicles and equipment and a site office, with welfare provision for staff has been established.
At the ongoing cable installation sites, HDD works will be happening along specific locations on the route.
Brief description of activities of M & E works:
Works have been undertaken to improve local roads around the substation site and along the cable route. During these works, it may be necessary to introduce temporary traffic management measures such as speed restrictions or closures and diversions.
Of Scotland's electricity will be provided
Million tonnes of CO2 emissions saved every year
Million homes throughout the UK could be powered
Kilometers of cabling will be installed across the site