Work completed on £1bn subsea electricity link

Construction has been completed on a £1bn project to allow renewable energy generated in the far north of Scotland to be sent to the central belt.

The subsea electricity link, which runs between Caithness and Moray, is regarded as a major breakthrough in making use of Scotland’s renewable energy potential.

The 100-mile cable, described by SSE as the biggest investment in the north of Scotland network since the 1950s, will be capable of transferring enough electricity from the Beatrice offshore wind farm and the Doreness onshore farm in Caithness to power three million homes.

Project leader Dave Gardner said: "The successful energisation and commissioning of the Caithness-Moray link, on time and within budget, is a significant achievement for SSEN and everyone involved in the project.

"It will support deployment of renewable energy in the north of Scotland and beyond for many years to come.

"Now an operational asset, as a responsible network owner we will closely monitor the link and associated infrastructure to ensure its continued success as an integral part of the GB transmission system."