On 19 March, Ofgem issued its minded to decision to approve a proposal from Scottish and Southern Energy Networks to build the 600MW Shetland transmission link, subject to the planned 412-457MW Viking Energy Wind Farm being awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) in the 2019 allocation round. The link is expected to cost around £709mn and is intended to be completed in 2024.
Ofgem also announced that it is minded to reject a separate proposal from Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE-T) for a 600MW link to connect the Western Isles, but said it would likely support an alternative proposal for a 450MW link, or a 600MW link that provides better value for consumers. SHE-T had proposed that funding is approved on the condition that two onshore windfarms with a total capacity of up to 369MW receive CfDs in the 2019 round.
Ofgem is consulting on both minded to decisions until 3 May.
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