A new power line between the UK and the Netherlands will deliver enough electricity to "power more homes than Manchester and Birmingham combined", the Government has announced.
Electricity is being transmitted along the full length of the controversial Beauly to Denny power line for the first time.
Joint developers Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) and SP Energy Networks said the 220km (136-mile) “power super-highway” is now fully operational at up to 400 kilovolts.
The overhead line carries renewable energy generated in the Highlands to central Scotland and was given the go-ahead by Scottish Government ministers in January 2010.
It has been a mixed month for the electricity industry in Scotland. On the negative side, DONG Energy announced its withdrawal from the joint venture planning to build a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston.
