Caithness/Moray Subsea Cable Fund Boost
SSE has accepted a funding of £1.1bn for the electricity link in the Moray Firth.
The new billion pound subsea cable project in the north is moving forward.
Developer SSE has confirmed a funding package with Ofgem for the Caithness to Moray link.
The regulator proposed an investment deal in excess of £1.1bn.
The scheme will support 600 jobs, with completion set for 2018.
It'll enable the connection of 1.2GW of new renewable electricity generation.
David Gardner, SSE’s Director of Transmission, said: “The investment of around £600m for financial year 2015/16 will see work commencing on the vital Caithness-Moray subsea link, along with further investment in a number of other approved projects, all unlocking renewable sources of energy for decades to come.
“Importantly, local people will benefit from the hundreds of jobs it will support, with more than 100 apprentices and graduates being trained with the vital engineering and technical skills needed to serve the network across the North of Scotland in the future.”
Welcoming the news while visiting SSE’s Inverness office today, Highland MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said:
“This investment by SSE and the 600 jobs it will support across the North of Scotland is a welcome boost to our local economy which is already a powerhouse for the expansion of renewable energy.”
Mr Alexander also paid tribute to the work undergone by SSE engineers and staff during the recent Scottish storms.
He added: “The hard work done by engineers in difficult conditions over the last week shows how important it is to have personnel with the skills necessary to keep power supplies connected, so the apprenticeship element of the deal is particularly welcome.
“I’m very pleased to be able to thank the SSE staff who have helped weather the storm in person today, and to celebrate this new investment in our energy future with them.”