A long-awaited project to upgrade an electricity line for businesses in a north-east port will get under way next week.
Firms at Frasebrurgh harbour currently use generators to supplement the power provided by the existing connection.
However, the arrangement has been branded a hindrance to development in the area.
Councillor Charles Buchan, chairman of the council’s fisheries committee, said the £2.6million upgrade will make a significant difference to the local economy.
Mr Buchan said: “I’m delighted this long-awaited project is about to start. For many years, development in the very important harbour industrial area has been limited by the lack of capacity in the electricity supply.”
The local councillor – who has been involved in the scheme for more than three years – added that power outages caused by over-demand are hugely inconvenient to fish processing firms.
It is hoped the new power supply which will be funded by grants from the council, Scottish Enterprise and Marine Scotland will attract new businesses to the area.
The project will also allow vessels in the harbour to tap into the electricity supply, rather than using their diesel engines.
Work will being on Monday, with the new line running along Lochpots Road, West Road, Alexandra Terrace, Kind Edward Strreet, Strichen Road, Links Road and finally South Harbour Street.
Temporary traffic restrictions will be in place.