Cable Route Engineering

SSEN Transmission announced on 26 May 2026 that it is extending marine survey work for the proposed Shetland HVDC Link 2 to assess Minn Islesburgh in St Magnus Bay, on the west coast of mainland Shetland, as a newly identified potential landfall location. The survey area covers waters around Minn Islesburgh and close to Mavis Grind, with vessels Viking Reach and Northern Maria — already operating in the area — carrying out the work. A Notice to Mariners will be issued outlining vessel movements and timings. The announcement also confirmed that Wethersta is no longer being considered as a landfall option following recent assessments highlighting engineering challenges. Braewick and Yell Sound remain under active consideration alongside the newly added Minn Islesburgh. Mavis Grind itself had previously been discounted due to engineering constraints; the newly identified area is being assessed as a potentially more suitable alternative. From whichever landfall is ultimately selected, the HVDC cable would be installed entirely underground to connect to the proposed Northern Hub in northern mainland Shetland. SSEN said it will announce dates "in the coming weeks" for a new round of consultation events presenting updated cable-landfall options alongside Northern Hub proposals. David Inge, Development Portfolio Manager at SSEN Transmission, said extending the survey work "is an important step in identifying the most suitable landfall location."