A long-awaited project to upgrade an electricity line for businesses in a north-east port will start next week.
Firms at Fraserburgh 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.
Harbour superintendent John Murison said the new scheme will open up fresh opportunities for firms to move into the port.
“It’s not just for the harbour,” he said. “It’s for the economic benefit of Fraserburgh and the whole area. As far as employment is concerned it is more wide ranging.”
Mr Murison said the construction work would begin on Monday and is scheduled to take 12 weeks.
He added: “Without it we would have been unable to see any future expansion or development of the port.”
A spokesman for the harbour board said the current situation was inadequate, and “is having adverse effects on businesses wishing to expand.”
He added: “The new cable will address all the issues.”
Councillor Charles Buchan, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s fisheries committee, said the £2.6million upgrade would 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 were 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 Street, Strichen Road, Links Road and finally South Harbour Street.
Temporary traffic restrictions will be in place.