Energy firms fined after subsea cable delay pauses Scottish windfarms

Turbine sites paid to switch off on windy days because there was no way to transmit power to south of UK

Two energy companies will pay a record 158m fine after delays to a major subsea power cable bringing renewable energy from Scotland to England and Wales caused home energy bills to rise.

National Grid and Scottish Power agreed to pay the penalty after an investigation by the industry regulator found many of Scotland's windfarms were paid to turn off on windy days because there was no way to transmit the clean electricity to areas of high energy demand in the south of the UK.