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Plan for new Skye to South Uist sub-sea cable progresses

News imageGetty Images A Hebridean scene of white-walled houses in a landscape of moorland, lochs and low hills.Getty Images
The cable provides power to communities in Uist

A proposed new sub-sea electricity cable across the Little Minch in the Hebrides has taken a step forward.

The 33kV cable connects South Uist to the mainland power distribution network via the Isle of Skye.

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) has said the 34-year-old, 25-mile (40km) cable needs to be replaced.

Western Isles local authority, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, has allowed the plans to progress further after raising no objections to the project's marine licence.

SHEPD, which is a part of energy company SSEN, is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the efficiency and integrity of Scotland's sub-sea electricity cable networks, including connections to 60 islands.

The Skye to South Uist cable provides an electricity supply to Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay and Barra.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.