Fugro’s jack-up platform starts surveys for Western Isles subsea link

February 5, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Dutch Fugro has commenced integrated site investigations for a power transmission link that will connect the Scottish Western Isles to the UK national electricity transmission network for the first time.

Fugro is carrying out nearshore surveys for SSEN Transmission’s 1.8 GW Western Isles high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link to gather geo-data that will guide the design and construction of the cable landfalls, helping reduce risks and optimize route planning for this vital infrastructure.

The company’s ARAN 250 specialist jack-up platform completed survey work at Arnish Point and has moved to Dundonnell, where it is expected to complete its operations in February, weather permitting.

The investigations, combining geophysical mapping with geotechnical boreholes, include drilling and testing at several potential landfall locations located near Arnish Point in Lewis and Dundonnell on the Scottish mainland, with the soil samples to undergo analysis at Fugro’s Wallingford laboratory.

The Western Isles HVDC Link will consist of approximately 83 kilometers of underground cable and 81 kilometers of subsea cable, connecting SSEN Transmission’s Lewis Hub HVDC converter station and AC substation on the Isle of Lewis to the mainland.

Hitachi Energy will deliver the HVDC converter stations for the project, with NKT delivering the power cable system.

“We welcome Fugro’s progress in delivering nearshore surveys for our Western Isles HVDC Link, which will connect the Western Isles to the GB Transmission network for the first time. These surveys are another step forward in progressing the project,” said Niall MacLeod, Project Director for SSEN Transmission.

Fugro is also currently carrying out nearshore investigations to inform the final subsea cable route for SSEN Transmission’s 2 GW Spittal to Peterhead subsea cable link project in Scotland.