SSE has been given the green light to develop the onshore transmission works at the 558MW Beatrice offshore wind farm in Scotland.
Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd, which also includes Repsol and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, have been granted permission for infrastructure that will connect the £2.1bn project to the electricity network.
The planning application was submitted to Moray Council in April and was approved by members of the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee on Monday.
The group said onshore transmission works will comprise of approximately 20km of underground cable from a landfall point to the west of Portgordon and a new substation which the cable will connect to, located adjacent to the existing substation at Blackhillock near Keith.
Construction of the onshore transmission works is expected to commence in 2016 subject to a positive final investment decision early next year.
SSE director of offshore renewables Brian McFarlane said: “SSE Renewables and our partners are delighted that members of The Moray Council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Committee has granted permission for our onshore transmission works.
“The consent of our cable route marks another positive milestone in helping to deliver one of Scotland’s most exciting engineering projects. As we approach a FID early next year we will continue to keep stakeholders informed of progress.”
The Beatrice project was consented by Scottish Ministers in March 2014 and granted an Investment Contract by the UK government in May 2014.
Image: SXC
