The installation of four cable ducts through the rock beneath Noss Head, north of Wick, and almost 500 metres out to sea has been completed as part of Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission’s (SHE Transmission’s) £1.1 billion Caithness-Moray project.

The transition between land and sea represents one of the most challenging elements in the installation of the 100 mile high voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Spittal in central Caithness and Blackhillock in Moray, which will enable the efficient transfer of up to 1,200MW of renewable power beneath the Moray Firth.

Following the completion of the drill, cables will be pulled through the ducts on to land next year when the marine installation work is due to take place. Two of the four ducts installed will carry the main electricity cables, a third duct will contain the fibre-optic cable used in the operation of the system, while a fourth is available as a spare.

SHE Transmission’s lead project manager for onshore cable works Michael Blake said: “The successful completion of the drill at Noss Head is a major achievement for our project – and particularly for the team that has been working hard on site over the past few months. The main onshore cable works are now nearing completion in Caithness and the ducts at Noss Head will enable the first stage of the cable’s journey beneath the Moray Firth.”