A multibillion-pound energy project which could make a north-east port a “global leader” in renewable energy has been backed by Aberdeenshire Council.
The pioneering electricity project in the village of Boddam and Stirling – near Peterhead – could transform the town into a major player for new energy developments and create up to 200 jobs.
A consortium of Scandinavian energy firmsnow waiting for a decision to be made by Aberdeenshire’s full council before ground can be broken for the £2billion scheme,
It will transfer power between green energy projects in Scotland and Norway with a substation planned for Boddam.
Councillors will decide on Thursday at Full Council whether to approve the major development – and officials have recommended that they back the plans.
Stephen Archer, the council’s director of infrastructure services, has told members that the development of the interconnecter is of “national importance”.
And Wendy Forbes, a planner for the council, has told Peterhead councillors that projects like NorthConnect’s could provide a “security of supply” at times when winds are low or intermittent.
She said she was “hopeful” that the town could become a “global leader in new energy projects”.
NorthConnect – a partnership of Vattenfall, Adger Energi, E-Co Energi and Lyse – believe the 400-mile, 1,400-megawattt proposal would encourage greater investment in renewables.
Last night, the group’s project manager in the UK, Richard Blanchfield, said the scheme was a “key part of its strategic vision for a European electricity highways network.
“That’s because it will help to keep the lights on, help keep Scottish household bills down and underpin the growth of Scotland’s low-carbon green power potential.”
Some residents have raised concerns about the noise and visual impact the station will have during both its construction and operation.
Others have raised environmental concerns.
Mr Blanchfield said the design a station that “minimises local impact” and which complied with the council’s development plan and that he believes the firms involved had achieved that.
“The conversation does not stop there though, as we plan to continue to work with communities and the council on the project,” he said.
On Thursday, the local authority will ask its councillors to approve the plans.
If successful, NorthConnect hope to apply to lay cabling between Scotland and Norway by next year and have the project operational by 2022.