CIfA 2021 A Guide for Clients

26 Powering and protecting Scottish Heritage Along the west coast of Scotland lies a chain of more than 136 islands that are home to some of the UK’s most remote communities. For thousands of years, farming and fishing have forged a deep connection between the islanders, the land and the sea. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) serves 59 of these western islands, ensuring these communities are connected to vital power supplies. Some 280 miles (450km) of SSEN cables link the islands to the mainland electricity system. The network of cables stretches from Lewis and Harris in the northern Outer Hebrides, to Jura and Islay in the Inner Hebrides further south, powering homes, businesses, schools – every aspect of daily life. With such an integral role to play in these island communities, SSEN aims to do more than provide energy safely and reliably. Working in partnership with CIfA Registered Organisation WSP, SSEN wants to help celebrate, and protect, the heritage of these beautiful islands, ensuring their unique character is preserved for generations to come. Here are just a few examples of projects where WSP is supporting SSEN to fulfil this ambition. THE ISLE OF COLL Like many of the west coast isles, there are no gas mains on the Isle of Coll. Just 13 miles long and 4 miles wide, Coll is served by a single 11KV subsea electricity cable. Everyone on the island is dependent on electricity for power, including heating and lighting their homes. Coll’s first cable was installed in 1987 running from the neighbouring island of Mull under the sea to the Bay of Sorisdale on Coll. After just 14 years (in 2001) SSEN’s inspection regime revealed damage to the cable – a result of strong currents moving the cable over the rocky seabed as well as from trawler fishing boats dragging nets. A new cable was installed and monitored using remotely operated subsea inspection tools. But by November 2018, Coll ©WSP