Advanced works on the Kintyre Hunterston link, which will improve the electricity network in the area, has started.

The project will see more than £200m invested to provide a more secure energy supply to the Kintyre peninsula by strengthening the transmission network, as well as providing significant local employment opportunities.

It is understood the Kintyre Hunterston link has significant development potential in the area and will release 150MW of grid capacity for renewable energy generators.

A substation will be constructed at Croassaig in Kintyre to connect the peninsula to Hunterston on the Ayrshire coast via two 25-mile underwater cables, while SSE will replace the existing overhead line between Carradale and Croassaig with a higher capacity double circuit line.

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Policy Lead for Sustainable Environment and Renewables, Vivien Dance, said: "This £220million investment is a huge boost for Argyll and Bute in general and the Kintyre Peninsula in particular and I was pleased to be able to meet local residents who have already secured employment on site.

"The strengthening of the power supply network will be greatly welcomed, it is essential that the electricity supply in Kintyre is secured for the future, particularly in light of the problems during the heavy snow in March this year."

David Gardner, SSE's Director of Transmission added: "The Kintyre Hunterston project plays a key part in our £1.4bn investment programme which will see the upgrade of Scotland’s electricity network. We are investing around £4million a day in new energy infrastructure across the north of Scotland and we want to see real economic and social benefits flow to local businesses and communities as a result."

The Argyll and Bute Renewable Alliance (ABRA) has been a key driver in securing the delivery of the Kintyre Hunterston project.

(JP/IT)