Scottish subsea link gets approval for capacity increase

January 7, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

The Scottish Government Marine Directorate has granted the variation to the existing marine license for the Western Isles high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable link, allowing the needed increase in capacity.

The project is a key component of SSEN Transmission’s planned £22 billion investment program to upgrade the north of Scotland’s electricity transmission grid. The original marine license was approved in 2021, but a variation was required due to the increased capacity for the new Western Isles cable link.

Once complete, the project will connect the Western Isles to the GB transmission network through an 82-kilometer subsea cable. Hitachi Energy will deliver the HVDC converter stations for the project, with NKT delivering the power cable system.

This approval follows on from the positive planning consent decision for the Lewis Hub, granted in November.

“Securing this variation to the existing marine licence marks the culmination of many years of development, and is an important milestone in our programme to strengthen Scotland’s transmission network and support the transition to cleaner, more secure energy,” said Peter Watson, Lead Marine Consents and Environment Manager at SSEN Transmission.

“The unique environment we are working in and the close working relationships with our stakeholders will allow us to look at new ways of monitoring the marine environment and incorporate nature-inclusive design and marine restoration into the construction of the link. The new year will bring a new focus to our engagement with the local maritime community as well as communities in Little Loch Broom and Arnish, and we look forward to working closely together as the project progresses.”