A major new energy development that will play a central role in strengthening the electricity network in the north of Scotland has been given the green light.

Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee has approved planning consent for the Netherton Hub, a strategic project located to the west of Peterhead. The hub will form a vital part of efforts to bolster national energy security and accelerate the UK's clean power transition.

The decision follows two years of development work and extensive engagement with local communities and stakeholders by SSEN Transmission, which included four rounds of in-person consultation attended by more than 400 people and over 100 formal responses.

The Netherton Hub is a cornerstone of SSEN Transmission's £22 billion investment programme, itself part of a wider overhaul of Great Britain’s transmission system. The project's need has been independently verified by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and approved by Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator.

Community input has influenced the final design of the hub, with measures introduced to address concerns about flooding and visual impact. These include land set aside for drainage, additional screening, bunding and landscaping.

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Once operational, the Netherton Hub will include:

• A 400kV substation to support both offshore and onshore electricity generation.

• A 132kV substation to facilitate future generation and storage connections.

• The Spittal to Peterhead HVDC converter station to transmit renewable energy from northern Scotland to demand centres across the UK.

• The Eastern Green Link 3 HVDC converter station to deliver power from the north of Scotland to Norfolk and beyond.

• A transmission hall designed to accommodate future infrastructure.

• A spares warehouse and operations base.

Construction is expected to begin early next year.

Alison Hall, Director of Development for SSEN Transmission, said: "We are delighted with today's decision, allowing us to progress a world-leading energy hub helping unlock the homegrown low-carbon electricity generation required to help deliver a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity system for current and future generations.

"Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is also a major driver of jobs and economic activity, and we have already seen the positive impact of our projects in the north-east of Scotland – including Eastern Green Link 2 which has so far generated over £9m for the local economy in and around the Peterhead area.

"In addition, our community benefit funding proposals, ambitious housing legacy commitments, and the creation of new jobs within SSEN Transmission and our supply chain partners are also helping deliver a positive legacy in local communities.

"Today's decision marks a key milestone in delivering UK and Scottish Government energy targets – one that will deliver a new strategic hub for onshore and offshore projects that will be critical to delivering a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system for future generations."