Viking and Kergord Substation
M&E Installations
Project Overview
The Viking and Kergord Substation project is a major energy infrastructure development connecting the 443MW Viking Wind Farm to the GB transmission system. The project plays a critical role in unlocking Shetland’s renewable energy potential, decarbonising the local energy supply, and connecting the islands to the national grid for the first time.
Client
BAM / SSEN–SSER
Location
Shetland Islands
Programme Duration
24 months
Taylor And Fraser Role
M&E Subcontractor
Taylor and Fraser Role
Taylor and Fraser successfully delivered the M&E installation across:
- Four Transformer Halls
- 132kV Control Room
- Operations Building
- 132kV GIS Hall
Key Challenges
Delivering a complex M&E package in Shetland presented significant logistical and environmental challenges.
The remote island location, restricted access, and extreme weather conditions required careful planning and flexible delivery strategies.
Teams worked through wind speeds exceeding 78mph, the heaviest snowfall in Shetland for 20 years, and frequent rolling fog, all of which had the potential to disrupt programme and access to site.
Our Approach
To mitigate travel and weather-related risks, Taylor and Fraser implemented a 12-day on / 3-day off rotation and developed a robust logistics and resource management plan. Drawing on experience from over 50 island projects across Scotland, the team adapted sequencing and delivery methods to maintain productivity and safety. A strong focus on planning, quality assurance, and right-first-time delivery minimised rework and reduced the need for return visits to site.
The Outcome
At peak construction, the project supported approximately 650 jobs and was delivered on time and on budget. Taylor and Fraser’s approach to logistics, scheduling, safety, and quality was instrumental in the successful delivery of the project.
The strong performance on Viking and Kergord has led to continued collaboration with BAM on similar energy infrastructure projects.
