Two offshore wind farms able to power more than one million homes with up to 1,866 MW of electricity won planning consent today.

The Moray and the Beatrice Offshore wind farms off the Caithness coast will be worth up to £2.5 billion to the Scottish economy.

Together the pair’s 326 turbines would make the world’s third largest offshore wind farm according to Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.

He said: “These wind farms alone could generate gross value worth up to £2.5 billion over their lifetime and generate up to 4,600 jobs during peak construction and up to 580 once in operation.”

They have consent as long as they stick to strict conditions including their effect on birds.

Gina Hanrahan, Climate and Energy Policy Officer at WWF Scotland said: “It’s important that the developers work with all interested stakeholders to avoid or minimise any impacts on the marine environment.”

The projects are now waiting for government funding decisions.

Lindsay Leask, Senior Policy Manager for trade body Scottish Renewables said: “The big focus now moves on to whether or not these projects can access a Contract for Difference – the new support mechanism for nuclear, renewables and carbon capture and storage – which the backers of the projects need to finalise their investments.”