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Plans unveiled for HVDC power cable to run the length of Wirral

National Grid and ScottishPower Transmission (SP Transmission) are inviting local people to comment on plans for a new subsea power cable that will bring renewable energy from Scotland to England and Wales.

The companies are working together to deliver a major project to build a 400km high voltage circuit which will run predominantly under the sea from Scotland to England/Wales.

The new circuit will enable the transfer of large volumes of energy from Scotland directly to England and Wales through subsea cables, by-passing the constraints on the existing transmission system. Scotland traditionally generates more electricity than it consumes and as new renewable energy projects continue to come on-line, it is anticipated that exports will increase.

Andy Hiorns, Project Director said: "This is an incredibly important project for the UK - it will help the country to meet its climate change commitments."

It is proposed that the new circuit will begin at Hunterston, in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland and will run through the Irish Sea to the tip of the Wirral peninsula on Merseyside. Here, it will travel across the Wirral to Connah's Quay in North Wales, as shown in the map below.

Equipment will be constructed at Hunterston and at Connah's Quay to connect the new cable into the national grid electricity transmission system. Local people are being invited to public consultation events next month, including one in Neston, to find out more about the plans.

The events will take place between 2pm and 8pm as follows:

Monday 7th February: Town Council Offices, Quay Building, Fron Road, Connah's Quay, CH5 4JP
Tuesday 8th February: Neston Community and Youth Centre, Burton Road, Neston, CH64 9RE
Wednesday 9th February: Moreton Community Centre, Maryland Lane, Moreton, CH46 7TS
Friday 11th February: Seamill Hydro, Seamill, Ayrshire, KA23 9NB

Renewable energy forms a major element of the UK's approach to combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions and this project will support the UK Government to meet the agreed EU target that 15% of the UK's energy will be produced from renewable sources by 2020.

To develop their plans, National Grid and SP Transmission are working closely with the local councils and nature conservation agencies, as well as local environmental groups and landowners to develop an effective proposal which minimised the impact on the environmental and local communities.

Consultation will also be carried out with local communities around the sites at Hunterston and Connah's Quay and along the proposed cable route on the Wirral, and the views of local people will be taken into account in developing the final plans.

"We are committed to working with local communities," said Mr Hiorns. "We are keen to speak to as many people as we can and hear as many views as possible."

"The first public consultations are due to start at the beginning of February and we hope that all residents who want to hear more about this important project come along."

More information can be found here.

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Comments

SHric

At 13:15 on 2nd February 2011, SHric commented:

This cable will require huge engineering works between Neston and Connah's Quay. A trench will be dug and then reinstated - what a wonderful opportunity to create a fantastic and much needed cycle route to link the two areas.

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Dennis L

At 15:28 on 2nd February 2011, Dennis L commented:

As it is beng laid in the sea up to the Wirral peninsular,why cannot this main supply HDVC Cable continue so in the Dee Estuary/River direct to Connah's Quay power station as it would save an awful lot of upheaval?

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CO Jones

At 16:54 on 4th February 2011, CO Jones commented:

Would seem a good point Dennis L. In many other respects, the project seems to make good sense as it will be drawing on energy from Scotland which has a significant Hydro power base, which is significantly greener than fossil fuel use. Therefore, I was a bit confused to see the Green lobbyists ripping the proposals apart in this weeks Wirral News. I would appreciate any feedback on why these plans are so environmentally damaging as I would have thought the opposite..

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