Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have welcomed SSE's decision to proceed with its £2.6 billion Beatrice Offshore Wind project.

The 84-turbine project will be built in the Outer Moray Firth.

Both SE and HIE said that the 588MW scheme will create "major opportunities for supply chain companies" along with hundreds of new jobs over the projects 25-year lifetime.

Operations and maintenance for the development will be delivered at Wick port, while other ports such as Arnish, Invergordon, Nigg and Buckie are well placed to support installation, fabrication and marine services during the construction phase.

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In addition, a major investment by CS Wind UK into Machrihanish will allow the plant to manufacture large scale offshore wind towers.

HIE chief executive, Alex Paterson, said the announcement was "excellent news" for the Highlands and Islands.

"The scale of opportunity is extensive and will stretch across our region, and Scotland as whole," he said.

"We look forward to working with SSE, the sector as a whole, and individual companies, to ensure the best possible economic outcome for the region from this development."

Margaret McGinlay, director of energy at Scottish Enterprise added: "The confirmation of an investment of this scale marks a significant milestone for Scotland's offshore wind industry. It has the potential to bring a variety of significant opportunities for economic growth for Scotland, particularly for companies in our offshore wind supply chain.

"We'll be continuing to work closely with SSE and our partners on and this and other projects to secure the continued development of the sector in Scotland."

SSE is anticipated to confirm a number of other supply chain contracts in the coming months.

(LM)