Ofgem gave the go-ahead to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ plan for a 220MW transmission link from Orkney Islands to the Scottish mainland on 16 September, subject to conditions that ensure value for money for consumers.
The link, which has an estimated cost of around £260mn, would be completed in 2023 and enable electricity generated from new wind farms and potentially new tidal power projects on Orkney to be sent across GB.
Approval is conditional on at least 135MW of new wind farm projects on the islands either being awarded a Contract for Difference or being deemed likely to be developed by December 2021.
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