The future of an energy scheme that could make a north-east port a “global leader” in renewables will be decided this morning.
NorthConnect, a consortium of Scandinavian energy firms, wants to build a substation in the village of Boddam – near Peterhead – which would transfer energy between Scotland and Norway.
The pioneering electricity project, valued at £2billion, could transform the town into a major player for new energy developments and create up to 200 jobs.
But to be built, councillors from across the north-east must sign off on the proposals.
Stephen Archer, the council’s director of infrastructure services, will today tell members that the development of the interconnector is of “national importance”.
And Wendy Forbes, a planner for the council, has already 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 and lower household bills.
If successful, the group hopes to apply to lay cabling between Scotland and Norway by next year and have the project operational by 2022.