Cerulean Winds requires a grid connection to the National Grid Transmission Infrastructure. The National Electricity System Operator (NESO) and the Transmission Operator are responsible for identifying suitable connection points and will issue a connection offer to the developer. In selecting these points, NESO considers the most efficient locations for integrating with the National Grid. Cerulean Winds has been offered a connection at Hurlie Substation at Fetteresso, near Stonehaven.
Due to the length of the connection from the offshore wind farm, the offshore cables must have specific characteristics to ensure electricity is transmitted in compliance with grid code requirements.
Because power is being transported over a long distance, substations are required at each end of the connection to enable efficient transmission, minimise losses, and ensure the electricity can be safely integrated into the grid.
As part of developing a project that is both economically viable and technologically deliverable, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) options have been assessed.
HVAC technology has been selected to maximise system availability and accelerate delivery for existing oil and gas platform connections, while ensuring the overall design remains efficient and optimised.
While HVDC can be more suitable over longer distances, it involves higher costs, different onshore infrastructure, and longer lead times. Given the need to decarbonise oil and gas operations and support a transition for the workforce, shorter delivery timelines and project readiness are key considerations.
The project will require the construction of a new substation and an onshore cable route connecting the offshore works with the National Grid Transmission Network.
The onshore cable route will largely be buried and therefore most of the works proposed will have a temporary impact. The substation will be above ground.
In choosing the location, extensive considerations have been undertaken to narrow down options, and a site just north of Newtonhill has been selected as the preferred location, as it is one of the few areas where the infrastructure can be technically installed while managing the environmental effects of the works.
The cables will make landfall from the offshore cable route via temporary works before being buried underground, helping to minimise environmental disturbance.
The site, north of the Newtonhill beach area, means we avoid the well-used public space, which will remain open, and we will do everything possible to limit any road or path access restrictions during the temporary works.
A whole range of environmental and technical factors have been considered through the site selection process including for example landscape and visual designations such as scenic areas, seascape types, visual amenity, cultural heritage, ecology and habitats. It also included technical factors such as noise, hydrology and risk of flooding, transport and land use and recreation. Appraisal factors looked at the grid connection point distances, utilities and infrastructure and environmental site considerations along with land availability and ownership.
Public Access Management – We are aware that this area is used to access the coast and path network north of Newtonhill. Should there be any impact on any existing access routes, we would look to provide alternatives to ensure access is not restricted.
Traffic – traffic would not be brought through the village. We would work with anyone affected by our construction access route.
Noise – We will undertake further assessment and implement mitigation measuresto ensure that noise is minimised during the construction works and wherever possible.
Cables will be installed using a trenchless technique. Cables will be pulled through ducts from offshore to onshore. A connection will be required onshore known as the Transition Joint Bay (TJB) to connect the offshore and onshore cable elements. As the onshore cables will be buried there would be limited permanent visible infrastructure, typically comprising a concrete pad at ground level which includes access hatches for standard maintenance.
We will make every effort to minimise disruption. There may be some noise and construction traffic during the works, but this will be temporary. We welcome feedback to help us understand local sensitivities, and any practical steps to avoid or limit disturbance will be incorporated into our approach.
Some disruption may occur during horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and cable pulling, as these activities need to be continuous until complete. The duration will depend on ground conditions but will be kept as short as possible. Wider civil works associated with cable installation may take longer but these will be carefully managed to remain considerate of neighbours and other land users.
The substation will be a permanent above ground installation and may cause localised disruption during construction however we will seek to minimise this through considerate construction methodologies. The siting and design have yet to be finalised but will include landscaping to ensure that visual effects are minimised. The substation will be designed to minimise noise emissions and will not require permanent lighting during operation.
Temporary road closures will be required to install cables or undertake enabling works. Any road closures will be kept to a minimum, and the community will be notified in advance.
The selection of trenchless techniques for cable installation at the landfall site provides mitigation for nesting seabirds at the coast. This avoids open trenching activities and the use of heavy machinery within the intertidal area.
Noise levels will depend on the distance between homes/businesses and the construction or operational activities. There will be a balance between the hours of operation and the overall duration of works. While 24-hour operation may be proposed to reduce the project timeline they will be used only when absolutely necessary. Appropriate noise mitigation measures such as plant and equipment housing, use of noise screens and careful choice of plant and equipment can be used in order to minimise impact on nearby communities and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
There may be some lighting required during construction but there will be no permanent light pollution. The substation will not be lit permanently. Passive Infrared (PIR) lighting will be used using sensors to detect movement to turn on light only when required.
We fully support Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Wealth Building Charter and will work closely with community councils and local people to shape how benefits are delivered. This includes creating jobs and training opportunities during the construction and operational phases of the project, as well as supporting increased demand for local contractors, suppliers, and services.
The project will establish a community investment programme providing funding for initiatives that matter most to local people. We look forward to engaging directly with communities to help guide these investments. Importantly, the project will contribute to clean energy targets, supporting both regional sustainability goals and the UK’s net zero ambitions whilst also supporting a just transition for oil and gas by removing emissions from platforms.
For the landfall and cabling, there will be very little visible once works are complete and it is our intention to return the areas back to original condition as far as possible. There is potential for small areas of above ground infrastructure such as cable link boxes (small steel boxes), fenced areas, and limited gravelled areas to be retained at specific locations along the route. These will be minimised as far as possible. The substation would be the main above ground permanent structure of the onshore transmission works.
The project is undertaking consultation as part of its site selection process in advance of the submission of a Planning Application in Principle later this year.
The planning application will utilise a design envelope to assess the potential impacts of a scenario where the maximum size of plant and equipment required for the project is considered, and where mitigation is necessary, further measures would be proposed within the environmental assessment that would be applied to the detailed design stage.
That detailed design stage would come later in the process and would include details of exactly where the substation would be sited and its visual appearance alongside full details of landscaping and noise mitigation for example. At present, the substation locations and wider site areas identified on the mapping are indicative. We will carry out further consultation as the project definition progresses this year and next year.
More than 15 sites were considered as part of the selection process but finding an area large enough without significant technical or environmental constraints that is both close enough to the landfall site and proposed Hurlie grid connection point at Fetteresso forest was challenging, with two sites emerging as potential options.
As part of the assessment work required to confirm a preference between Sites A and B and in addition to the ongoing consultation with residents, further survey work is being undertaken. This is being carried out at both sites.
Fixed noise monitoring has been installed at locations at both sites along with roads monitoring and ecology surveys. This will inform the decision-making process further we will let residents know the outcome as soon as possible and prior to the Planning Application in Principle being submitted to Aberdeenshire Council’s planning department.
There is ongoing dialogue with the landowner and tenants. If site A was brought forward as the preferred option, it would require the land and property to be acquired and developed at some point in 2028. The discussions with neighbouring residents and land interests along with ongoing survey work are informing the decision-making process between the two indicative site options and we will update the community when a preferred site is selected.
