Ambitious plans to upgrade an electricity line for businesses and vessels in a north-east town could be complete before 2016.
Firms at Fraserburgh harbour and trawlers docked in the port 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 and work to upgrade the mains cable is underway.
Now harbour commissioners have struck a £1million deal with Pegasus Power and Communications to refit the quayside.
Last night harbour superintendent John Murison described the move as a milestone in a project which has taken almost eight years to reach fruition.
“That’s the contract on our side, taking the power from the new substation that is being created and taking it down and around the quayside,” he said.
“The project’s in two parts – SSE are taking a new high-voltage cable down to the harbour. Then the second part is that we create substations here and get the power around the quay to allow boats to switch off their engines.
He added: “It’s a big step for the larger vessels which are tied up between fishing seasons and during quota restrictions.”
Work will commence within weeks and is expected to be complete before the new year.
Mr Murison said the scheme would allow the port to develop both in size and output.
It is hoped the new power supply, which will be funded by grants from Aberdeenshire Council, Scottish Enterprise and Marine Scotland, will help to attract new businesses.
The project will also allow vessels to hook up to electricity rather than using diesel engines.
Preliminary works by SSE to upgrade the mains connection to the area have already begun and a number of local road restrictions have been put in place while construction goes ahead.