THE POSSIBILITY of a sub-sea cable for the transmission of electricity as an alternative to the Beauly to Denny power line should be fully investigated, according to MSP Murdo Fraser.

In a parliamentary question, Mr Fraser asked the SNP Government whether it will conduct a feasibility study into a sub-sea cable along the west coast of Scotland as an alternative to an overhead pylon line.

In response, enterprise minister Jim Mather said, “There are currently no plans at present to conduct such a study however these are always vital issues to the Scottish Government and are kept under review.

“However, offshore grid development is of critical importance to the Scottish Government in order to realise the full potential of our renewable resources.

“We are progressing two key studies into offshore grid connections—the Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study (ISLES) and the recently published North Sea Energy Grid (NSEG) pre-scoping study.”

Mr Fraser said, “It is unfortunate that the SNP Government will not instruct a feasibility study into the possibility of a sub-sea cable along the west coast of Scotland.

“I believe that an informed decision on the Beauly to Denny power line cannot be made until all viable options are investigated.

“I do not want to see a line of overhead pylons cutting through Perthshire and near Stirling if there is a real possibility for a sub-sea cable to carry the electricity instead.”