Fugro Delivers Integrated Geophysical and Geotechnical Investigations for Major Western Isles HVDC Cable Project

Fugro Delivers Integrated Geophysical and Geotechnical Investigations for Major Western Isles HVDC Cable Project

(IN BRIEF) Fugro is conducting detailed nearshore geophysical and geotechnical surveys to support SSEN Transmission’s Western Isles HVDC Link, a project that will transmit up to 1,800 MW of renewable electricity from Scotland’s islands to the UK mainland and strengthen the national grid. Using its specialist ARAN® 250 jack-up platform, Fugro is combining seabed mapping with targeted boreholes at potential landfall sites near Arnish Point and Dundonnell, with samples analysed at its Wallingford laboratory to inform engineering design and reduce construction risk. The work, carried out with careful environmental consideration, represents a key step toward delivering the approximately 83 km of underground and 81 km of subsea cabling required for the link, which SSEN Transmission and Fugro describe as critical to unlocking clean energy potential and advancing the UK’s low-carbon transition.

(PRESS RELEASE) WALLINGFORD, 6-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Fugro has begun a programme of nearshore geotechnical and geophysical investigations in support of SSEN Transmission’s Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Link, a major infrastructure project designed to transmit up to 1,800 megawatts of renewable electricity from Scotland’s islands to the British mainland. The survey campaign will generate detailed Geo-data to inform the engineering design and construction of the cable landfall points, where subsea power lines transition to underground routes, helping to mitigate technical risks and refine the optimal alignment of the connection.

The Western Isles HVDC Link is expected to play a pivotal role in reinforcing the United Kingdom’s national electricity system while unlocking significant offshore and onshore renewable energy potential in the region. In addition to increasing transmission capacity, the project will facilitate the movement of clean power from the islands to population centres, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting the broader shift toward a low-carbon energy system.

The planned link will comprise roughly 83 kilometres of underground cabling on land and 81 kilometres of subsea cable beneath coastal waters, connecting SSEN Transmission’s Lewis Hub HVDC converter station and alternating-current substation on the Isle of Lewis with infrastructure on the Scottish mainland. To support this complex engineering effort, Fugro is deploying a combined methodology that integrates high-resolution geophysical seabed mapping with targeted geotechnical boreholes, creating a comprehensive picture of subsurface conditions along the shoreline and nearshore corridor. This work is being carried out using the ARAN® 250, a compact specialist jack-up platform designed for operations in shallow marine environments.

Survey activities have been structured to minimise environmental disturbance wherever possible. Borehole locations have been selected on the basis of prior geophysical data to avoid unnecessary drilling, reduce ecological impact, and ensure efficient data collection. Investigations are being conducted at several candidate landfall sites in the vicinity of Arnish Point on the Isle of Lewis and near Dundonnell on the Scottish mainland. Extracted soil samples are being transported to Fugro’s Wallingford laboratory for advanced geotechnical testing and interpretation, transforming raw data into practical engineering insights that will shape project planning. With fieldwork at Arnish Point now concluded, the ARAN® 250 has been redeployed to Dundonnell, where operations are expected to be completed in February, subject to weather conditions.

Niall MacLeod, Project Director for SSEN Transmission, welcomed Fugro’s progress, noting that the surveys represent an important milestone in advancing the Western Isles HVDC Link and marking the first direct connection of the islands to the GB Transmission network. He also acknowledged the contributions of local stakeholders who participated in marine consultation events that helped identify potential cable landfall locations now being assessed through this survey work.

Matthew Chappell, Fugro’s Regional Service Line Director for Nearshore, emphasised that the company’s integrated approach — combining specialist equipment, experienced technical teams, and detailed laboratory analysis — will provide SSEN Transmission with dependable Geo-data to support sound engineering decisions and enable the safe, sustainable delivery of clean energy across the UK.

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SOURCE: Fugro