Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has been granted a marine licence to replace one of the two subsea power cables connecting Bute and Cumbrae.
The works, which are due to start early February and are expected to take a month to complete, will see a new cable installed between Kerrylamont Bay in Bute and Bell Bay in Cumbrae.
Ahead of the new cable's arrival, preparatory works on Cumbrae are well advanced with similar work starting on Bute soon. The subsea installation programme in February will have no impact on electricity supplies in the local communities.
Deborah Young, SSEN's Marine Consents Manager, said: "This essential project is part of our ongoing commitment to deliver the best possible service to our customers, and will go a long way to providing a safe, secure and reliable electricity supply across these local communities for many years to come."
Around 90km of submarine cables connecting Scotland's island communities will be replaced during the current Ofgem price control period (RIIO- ED1), which runs from 2015-2023. For more information, please visit www.ssen.co.uk/submarinecables.