Spiorad na Mara – a proposed offshore windfarm, located approximately 5-13km off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis – is to undertake consultation over the coming weeks on updated proposals for the location of its grid substation. The grid substation will hold the electrical equipment required to connect the windfarm to the grid, via the proposed Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) Lewis Hub near Arnish.
The project had previously indicated that the preferred location for the grid substation was east of Creed Industrial Park (as shown in map). However, it has recently become apparent that due to the extent of works required for a neighbouring project, there is no longer sufficient space available at this site to meet Spiorad na Mara’s grid substation requirements and an alternative location is required.
The purpose of the consultation is to share details of, and seek feedback on, a revised location for the grid substation and its associated infrastructure.
As a result of this change and the additional assessment work, stakeholder engagement and consultation associated with it, the timeline for the submission of the project’s onshore consent application has also changed.
“We now expect that the consent applications for the offshore and onshore elements of the project will be submitted at different times,” said Martin Whyte, Project Director. “While we are still aiming to submit our offshore planning application in the coming months, the additional work now required on parts of our onshore proposals mean that the submission of the onshore planning application will be put back to early 2026.
“Changes such as this can often happen when developing projects like Spiorad na Mara, and the overall project timeline remains the same,” he added.
Consent for the offshore elements of the project will be sought from the Marine Directorate -Licensing Operations Team of the Scottish Government, while the onshore application will be submitted to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
The consultation will take place between Tuesday 30th September and Tuesday, 14th October, with information being made available on the project’s website and at two in-person events being held at the Caladh Inn, James St, Stornoway on:
- Tuesday 30th September: 12pm to 3pm
- Wednesday 1st October: 5pm to 8pm
Full details of the consultation, including all information materials and a feedback form, will be made available on the project website at www.spioradnamara.co.uk when the consultation opens.
A further, final phase of public consultation will be held on plans for all aspects of the Onshore Transmission Works, from landfall to the connection point at the proposed SSEN Lewis Hub, prior to submitting the planning application.
Spiorad na Mara is owned by Northland Power (75.5%) and ESB (24.5%), with Northland leading on the development, construction, and operation.
Contact:
Steve Thomas
Communications Lead, Northland Power
+44 (0)7359 614023
steve.thomas@northlandpower.com
About Spiorad na Mara
Spiorad na Mara is a proposed offshore wind farm, located approximately 5-13 km off the west coast of Lewis. With an expected installed capacity of around 900 MW, it could meet the equivalent average annual electricity needs of around 1.2 million1 Scottish homes with renewable electricity and save more than 1.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Further information is available at www.spioradnamara.co.uk
1 More than 1.2 million homes powered per annum based on the average Scottish annual household electricity consumption of 3,078 kWh in 2022 (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/regional-and-local-authority-electricity-consumption-statistics) together with a minimum projected 50% wind load factor and a projected installed capacity of up to 900MW.
About Northland Power
Northland Power is a Canada-based global power producer dedicated to accelerating the global energy transition. Founded in 1987, with almost four decades of experience, Northland has a long history of developing, owning and operating a diversified mix of energy infrastructure assets including offshore and onshore wind, solar, battery energy storage, and natural gas. Northland also supplies energy through a regulated utility.
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with global offices in seven countries, Northland owns or has an economic interest in 3.5 GW of gross operating generating capacity, 2.2 GW under construction and an inventory of early to mid-stage development opportunities encompassing approximately 10 GW of potential capacity.
Publicly traded since 1997, Northland’s Common Shares, Series 1 and Series 2 Preferred Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols NPI, NPI.PR.A and NPI.PR.B, respectively.
About ESB
ESB is involved in six offshore wind projects and 2GW of onshore wind projects in Scotland, as part of its drive for a 5GW renewable electricity portfolio across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain by 2030. Since its foundation almost 100 years ago, ESB has always been fully invested in the lives of the customers and communities we serve. We have set a target to achieve net zero by 2040 and have committed to do this in a way that enables communities and natural habitats to thrive. Our focus is on developing and connecting renewables, building resilient infrastructure and empowering our customers to live healthier, more sustainable lives using clean electricity.