SSEN ditches controversial proposal to build electricity station on historic site outside Stornoway
27 February 2024
SSE has dropped plans to erect a large electricity substation compound on a historic site in Lewis.
The energy giant sparked controversy with its proposal to construct a sizable compound industrial buildings on moorland at Marybank on the outskirts of Stornoway to feed renewable energy from island windfarms to a 1.8GW subsea cable at Arnish for export under the Minch to mainland markets.
The project would have obliterated the remains of the Lewis Chemical Works, an important part of the history and heritage of Stornoway,” said the historical society.
SSEN Transmission is now “actively exploring” alternative sites.
Following consultation on the proposed substation site last year, SSEN Transmission said it has received feedback from a range of local stakeholders, including the landowner, the Stornoway Trust; elected members; Marybank and Maryhill Community Association; the Stornoway Historical Society; the Stornoway Angling Association; local crofters and other local community interest groups and members.
The company said it “welcomes the widespread support” for the project need and it “recognises” the strength of feeling amongst the local community against the proposed siting of the substation at Marybank.
► Petition opposes building proposed electricity station on historic site
An update on the extended site selection process expected in the coming weeks.
Colin Bell, Lead Project Manager, said: “Following feedback from a range of individuals and groups we can confirm that we are no longer actively progressing our previously identified preferred convertor station and substation site at Creed North.
“We would like to thank all stakeholders who kindly took the time to constructively provide their feedback and hope that our commitment to explore alternative sites helps address local concerns.
“Work to identify an alternative potential site is ongoing and to help inform this site selection process, our teams will continue to balance key environmental, technical and construction constraints, whilst seeking to minimise and where possible mitigate community and landscape impacts.
“We remain fully committed to engaging constructively with all stakeholders and look forward to presenting an update on our site selection process for further public consultation in the coming months.”
Iain Maciver, factor at the Stornoway Trust, said: “SSEN Transmission’s pledge to
seek a more suitable location for the long-
“Dependent on our Island’s renewable energy aspirations is the timely delivery of the key component on which the future of so many projects rely.
“As well as the Trust’s continued support, other stakeholders must also play their part to enabling SSEN Transmission to find a more suitable solution.”
