Electrical ‘superhighway’ between Scotland and England approved

The two initial projects are expected to be followed by connections between Peterhead and Lincolnshire and then between Kinghorn in Fife and Norfolk.

They will work alongside the Western Green Link which runs between Hunterston in Ayrshire and the Flintshire Bridge on the border between England and Wales.

Opened in 2017, the 240 mile cable has transmitted more than 23,000 GWh of green energy in its first five years.

Claire Mack from the industry body Scottish Renewables says it is harnessing abundant natural resources.

She said: “In the same way that we’ve exported {oil} from the North Sea for the last four decades and beyond, the same thing is the case with renewables.”

While ground work in Peterhead is already underway, the offshore cable laying is expected to begin in 2028 with the first transmission of electricity due the following year.

Project director Ricky Saez describes Ofgem’s decision as a “major milestone” on top of approvals being given for onshore work by Aberdeenshire Council.