The Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) has welcomed the decision by Aberdeenshire Council to grant planning for an electricity converter station and underground cabling at Peterhead.
The project, NorthConnect, is located in the Energetica Corridor and is designed to link the electricity markets of Norway and Scotland through a 650km underwater power cable. There will be electricity converter stations at both ends to connect to the national networks in both countries.
If all further regulatory and financial hurdles are overcome, NorthConnect is due to begin operations in 2022.
The project will help balance the generation of renewable energy across the North Sea, enabling both countries to play to their renewable energy strengths.
The SDPA has worked closely with NorthConnect over several years to move this exciting project forward.
As well as being a National Development under the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework 3, it is highlighted as a key proposal in the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan.
Councillor Peter Argyle, Chairman of the SDPA, welcomed the application and its approval by Aberdeenshire Council. "This project is well aligned with our vision as well as the detail of the Strategic Development Plan.
“We have delivered consents to a number of national developments over the last few months, helping to deliver our vision for Aberdeen City and Shire.
“Many of these have had international significance and include the Carbon Capture and Storage proposal at Peterhead Power Station and now this proposal just a few miles to the south."
Vice Chairman, Councillor Ramsay Milne, welcomed the approval of the application but recognised that the developer has a number of regulatory challenges to overcome over the next few years.
He said: "The SDPA will look to support the delivery of the project going forward, ensuring that regulators are aware of the importance of this project in a local, regional, national and international context."
NorthConnect UK Project Manager Richard Blanchfield welcomed the unanimous support of Aberdeenshire Council for the project and the opportunity it presents for the North East economy as well as helping to tackle energy security, fuel poverty and greenhouse gas emission targets.
In addition to these strategic benefits, NorthConnect is also expected to support around 200 local jobs during construction and five local jobs throughout its 60-year operational life.