Project Overview
When people picture the Western Isles of Scotland, they usually think of wild coastlines, open skies and rugged beauty, not cutting-edge engineering. However, for Aureos, the Isle of Lewis has become the backdrop to a breakthrough in how infrastructure can be delivered safely, sustainably and efficiently.
Aureos supported Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to upgrade 58km of overhead power lines across the island. The project involved replacing infrastructure that has been in place since 1990 and is approaching the end of its useful life, ensuring a reliable electricity supply for the isolated communities that depend on it.
Sector:
Energy
Region:
Scotland
Service:
Planning, Onsite Delivery
Client:
SSEN
Working in the unique landscapes of the Isle of Lewis requires a careful approach. The island's peatlands and remote terrain make access challenging, while environmental protection remains a key priority throughout the delivery of the project.
Accessing Remote and Fragile Terrain
The landscapes of the Isle of Lewis are both fragile and difficult to access. It is vital that work is carried out carefully to protect the environment and keep people safe. Traditional approaches often require vehicles and heavy equipment to travel across sensitive areas, increasing environmental impact and introducing additional safety risks.
For several years, Aureos had been investing in how drone technology could support civil engineering tasks that are traditionally difficult, hazardous or labour intensive. The team recognised an opportunity to use drones to install bond rope for conductor works, reducing the need for ground vehicles and minimising disruption to environmentally sensitive peatland areas.
However, there was a significant challenge. As Gordon Cranston, Head of Drone Services, explains: "A few years ago, the Isle of Lewis contract presented us with a conundrum. We wanted to find a way to use drones to install bond rope for conductor works in a single, uninterrupted flight but the technology simply was not there yet."
Without the required lifting capability, the vision for a more sustainable and efficient installation method could not be realised.
Innovation Above the Peatland
The breakthrough came with the arrival of the DJI FlyCart 30, a new heavy-lift drone supplied through Aureos's partners at North Shields-based heliguy. Capable of carrying payloads of up to 30kg, the drone unlocked the possibility of carrying out this type of installation using just a drone operative, removing the need for ground vehicles to traverse the peatland.
Delivering the solution required far more than simply flying a drone. Every aspect of the operation was carefully planned and engineered to ensure it could be delivered safely and in compliance with Civil Aviation Authority requirements.
As Gordon explains, "It is about more than just flying. It is about planning for failure, managing tension, and proving to the Civil Aviation Authority that it can be done safely."
All calculations, rope selection and equipment were handled in-house by Aureos. The team developed bespoke designs and produced specialist equipment through 3D printing capabilities at its Bathgate facility, creating a solution tailored specifically to the project's requirements.
The result is a safer, cleaner and more efficient way of working in environmentally sensitive areas. By reducing the need for plant and vehicle movements, Aureos minimised disruption to the peatland environment while improving efficiency on site.
The approach also delivered important environmental benefits. As Chris Dosser, Environment Manager at Aureos, explains, "The use of drones for wiring has strengthened the measures available to Aureos Environmental Teams. In particular, the faster distribution of bonds has reduced the time plant needs to be on-site, allowing crews to leave sooner from areas identified by habitat and bird surveys as suitable for rare species."
The success of the project was underpinned by collaboration. Aureos worked closely with SSEN Transmission, whose willingness to embrace new technologies helped drive innovation throughout the project. The company's ongoing partnership with heliguy also played a vital role in navigating regulatory requirements and helping the team push the boundaries of what was possible.
The Isle of Lewis project demonstrates how innovative technology can help transform the delivery of complex infrastructure projects. By combining engineering expertise with advanced drone capabilities, Aureos has delivered a solution that improves safety, reduces environmental impact and offers a glimpse into the future of infrastructure delivery in remote and sensitive environments.
