Survey vessels are set to begin work off the north west coast of Shetland in the coming weeks, as early stage plans advance for a second high voltage electricity link between the islands and mainland Scotland.
Energy network operator SSEN Transmission confirmed that nearshore marine surveys will take place around Braewick, an exposed stretch of coastline identified as a potential landing point for a new subsea cable. The work will examine seabed and coastal conditions to determine whether the location is suitable for bringing the cable ashore.
The proposed project, known as the Shetland 2 HVDC Link, would establish a second High Voltage Direct Current connection between Shetland and the Scottish mainland. From the coast, the cable would run underground դեպի a planned northern substation hub on the mainland of Shetland.
What the survey work involves
The surveys form part of the project’s early design phase and are intended to reduce uncertainty before any final route or landfall decisions are made. Survey vessels will operate close to shore, collecting detailed data on seabed composition, coastal structure, and environmental conditions.
A formal Notice to Mariners will be issued ahead of the works, outlining vessel activity and timings. SSEN Transmission said it has already engaged with marine users and local stakeholders, including those who rely on the surrounding waters for fishing and transport.
A project with economic and strategic weight
If approved, the link would represent a significant expansion of Shetland’s energy infrastructure. A second connection to the mainland is expected to improve resilience and capacity, particularly as renewable energy generation continues to grow across the islands.
The company argues the project could deliver wider economic benefits, including local employment and supply chain opportunities during construction, alongside longer term gains tied to energy security.
Such claims are familiar in large infrastructure proposals, though they ultimately depend on final approval, procurement decisions, and the degree to which local firms are meaningfully included in delivery.
Consultation still to come
Public consultation has already taken place on earlier landfall options, though the potential site at Braewick was identified after those events. A further round of consultation is expected later in 2026 once survey findings are complete, giving residents and stakeholders an opportunity to respond to more developed proposals.
David Inge, a development portfolio manager at SSEN Transmission, described the surveys as a necessary first step in understanding whether the coastline at Braewick can support the infrastructure required.
For now, the activity remains exploratory. But as with many energy projects in the north of Scotland, what begins as survey work at sea often marks the quiet opening chapter of something far more permanent on land.
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