The preferred electricity supplier has been chosen for a huge offshore windfarm scheme - despite an ongoing battle to secure permission for the underground cabling to service it.

Dudgeon Offshore Wind, a subsidiary of Warwick Energy Limited, has selected ABB as the supplier for the electrical works for the Dudgeon offshore windfarm project following a competitive tendering exercise.

The contract for the services is not expected to be signed until 2013, and is dependent on the �1.5bn project getting planning permission and securing funding.

If agreed, the contract will include the offshore and onshore substations, the cabling systems, the electrical control systems and the overall electrical design.

A spokesman for Warwick Energy said: 'The initial priority is to add further definition to the onshore substation and onshore cable route design work already undertaken and to review options and timings for the marine cable. Some additional surveys have already been commissioned to help with some of this work.'

ABB is one of the world's largest and electrical equipment suppliers and installers and is based in Stone, Staffordshire.

Mark Petterson, Warwick's project director, said: 'We are very pleased to welcome ABB to the Dudgeon project. Their capabilities and experience will be important in helping us complete the design work and ensure a safe and efficient delivery of this major green infrastructure project.'

The Dudgeon site is 32km offshore due north from Cromer.

As reported earlier, a public inquiry will begin on May 24, looking into North Norfolk District Council's refusal of consent for 28km of buried cabling that is crucial to the development of the windfarm.

The inquiry will not be opposed by NNDC, which voted to not oppose it because of the potential six-figure costs.

It means it is likely that the inspector will find in favour of Warwick Energy, which wants the cabling from Weybourne to Great Ryburgh to transport the power generated by its proposed Dudgeon offshore windfarm.

The cabling for the Breckland District Council part of the route, from Great Ryburgh to Little Dunham, has already been approved.