Caithness – Moray transmission gets £39m boost as construction is under way

By DARA BUTTERFIELD

SHE Transmission, a subsidiary of SSE, has invested £39million in part of the Caithness to Moray Transmission Project while construction work is underway on the first of two substations at Spittal.

The new subsea link, which will feature over 100 miles of underground and subsea cable, is needed to transmit a large volume of electricity from renewable sources in the north of Scotland.

Dave Gardner, Director of Transmission, SSE, said: “We recently announced Scotland’s biggest ever Living Wage contract as part of this Caithness-Moray project and we’re proud to be using local companies and their workforces to build these vital transmission links.

“Twelve full-time staff from Edward McKay of Brora are dealing with the initial earthworks, with that number rising to 20 when the main earthworks begin in January. Another local company, Far North Fencing will be looking after site security and fencing during the festive period.”

Glyn Lloyd, SSEPD’s Project Manager, added: “We are committed to carrying out our work safely and with the minimum disruption to both the local communities and the environment.

“It’s an additional boost to be able to use companies local to the area to assist with the project through the construction of these two substations in Spittal.”

As Scotland’s largest ever Living Wage contract to date, the project will support at least 600 jobs with all staff and contractors being paid at least the Living Wage of £7.65 per hour and £7.85 from April 2015.