Construction of a new power transmission cable linking Caithness and Moray will boost the UK economy by more than £640m – according to a report published by the company behind the project.
Power giant SSE says the £1.1billion scheme will bring quarter of a billion pounds benefit to Scotland, where the equivalent of 4,975 years of employment will also be supported.
The Caithness-Moray link is centred on construction of a 100-mile underground and subsea cable, using high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology.
It is the largest project of its kind to be carried out by SHE Transmission, which is part of the SSE Group.
When complete, it will enable about 1,200 Megawatts of additional renewable generation capacity to connect to the National Grid.
According to the findings of a study into the economic contribution made by the project, SSE says £643.5million – almost two-thirds of the total investment – will be spent with UK-based suppliers and contractors.
Of this, £265.5million will be contributed to the Scottish economy.
In total, the company says, the project will support the equivalent of 10,971 years of employment in the UK.
SHE Transmission’s director of transmission, David Gardner, said: “We are extremely proud that today’s report clearly demonstrates the wider benefits of our activity and we remain committed to doing all we can to further the economic and social impact of our investments in the years ahead.”
He added: “The purpose of our work is to enable development of the north’s renewable energy resources, bringing further economic opportunity and playing a vital part in meeting the energy challenge facing the country as a whole.”
The report’s findings were welcomed by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry’s regional director in the Highlands, Fraser Grieve.
Mr Grieve said: “This report not only highlights the contribution of the Caithness-Moray project in reinforcing our electricity network for generations to come but in making sure that as much economic benefit is realised by local communities and contractors as possible.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Gail Ross said: “I am particularly pleased to see the involvement of local firms in the scheme.
“It shows that we have excellent skills which are recognised by SSE and will no doubt be built upon.
“As with the offshore Beatrice field development this scheme will bring positives to the north in times of uncertainty and economic toughness.”
SSE says work on the project is progressing well, with onshore installation of the HVDC cable in Caithness now largely complete.
Work to instal the subsea cable is due to start next year, with the whole project on schedule for completion by the end of 2018.