Scotland is a world leader in the fight against climate change. We are producing more clean, green energy than ever before, and we need to strengthen the transmission network so we can get it to the homes, businesses, hospitals and public services that need it.
Our upgrade work includes a new transmission line connecting the proposed new substation at Glenmuckloch to the proposed new Redshaw substation close to the M74 in South Lanarkshire, allowing clean, green renewable energy to flow in to the national electricity network.
This website explains our plans, and how you can give us your views.
The Scottish Government has set a target of Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 – meaning that Scotland’s contribution to climate change would end, definitively, in one generation.
We are in the middle of a transformation, with the energy we use increasingly coming from greener, cleaner sources, as many new renewable generators replace older fossil-fuelled power stations.
At the same time, demand for electricity will grow rapidly over the next few years, with electric vehicles replacing petrol and diesel, and increased electrification of heating, industry and transport networks.
This huge change means we need to upgrade Scotland’s electricity transmission network, so we can get this increasing amount of energy from where it is produced to the homes, businesses, hospitals and public services that need it.
This website tells you about our plans, where to find more information, and how you can give us your views.
The proposal
The proposal
Scotland is producing more clean, green energy than ever before, and we need to strengthen the transmission network so we can get it to the homes, businesses, hospitals and public services that need it.
The Glenmuckloch to Redshaw Reinforcement Project involves construction of a new double-circuit 400kV (400,000-volt) overhead line, running north-east from Glenmuckloch to the proposed new Redshaw substation at Red Moss, close to the M74 motorway, where it will connect to the existing high-voltage transmission network.
We will also need to create temporary accesses to tower construction areas, and construction compounds to store materials. There are well-established procedures in place for creating and then decommissioning these, to minimise the impact on the environment and local communities.
What will the new overhead line look line?
The new overhead line will be carried on steel lattice towers (pylons).
The towers will have three arms on each side, and each arm will carry a set of conductors (wires). This is because there will be a circuit on each side of the towers, and each circuit has three sets of wires.
Towers are made of galvanised steel. They are grey in colour and become duller in appearance after 18 months.
The towers (L12 design) have a standard height of 46 metres and are placed approximately 300 metres apart.
The exact height and distance between them will vary depending on the landscape and any obstacles the lines need to cross, such as roads, rivers and railway lines, to ensure electrical safety clearance to the ground. Lower-height towers can also be used in some situations.
Our preferred route
Our preferred route
SP Energy Networks (SPEN) has been working with environmental consultants to identify potential routes for the new overhead line between the proposed Glenmuckloch and Redshaw substations.
We appraised each route option for its impact on a range of criteria including local views, the character of the landscape, biodiversity, forestry, cultural heritage, flood risk, geology, and other land used.
Our preferred route (a swathe of land within which an overhead line could be installed), is the one we believe achieves the best balance between our technical requirements and minimising the impact on the environment and the people who live, work and enjoy spending their time in the area.
To help you identify where areas that matter to you are in relation to our preferred route, we have produced an interactive map which is shown below. We have also divided our preferred route into four sections for ease of reference and to help inform your feedback.
Project documents
Project documents
For our first round of consultation, we produced a number of supporting documents. Following this, we have produced a 'Summary of Feedback from First Round of Pre-Application Consultation (PAC)' report. These documents can be viewed below:
Have your say
Have your say
Our public consultation runs from Monday 26 February to Thursday 28 March 2024.
SPEN attaches great importance to the effect our work may have on the environment and local communities. We want to hear what local people think about our plans, to help us develop the project in the best way.
Please come along to one of our public exhibitions, where you can see our plans in more detail and ask questions of the project team.
| Date | Venue | Time |
| Monday 26th February 2024 | St Brides Centre, Braehead, Douglas, Lanark ML11 0PT | 11:30am – 4:30pm |
| Tuesday 27th February 2024 | Crawfordjohn Village Hall, Manse Rd, Crawfordjohn, Biggar ML12 6SR | 2:30pm – 7:30pm |
| Wednesday 28th February 2024 | Miners Memorial Hall, Needle St, Kirkconnel, Sanquhar DG4 6PH | 1pm – 7pm |
If you have any feedback on our proposals, please complete the below feedback form.
We have also placed a number of our consultation materials at local information points so those who cannot attend our events or do not have internet access can participate in our consultation. They will be available during venue opening hours.
| St Brides Centre, Braehead, Douglas ML11 0PT |
| Kirkconnel Library, Greystone Ave, Kelloholm, Sanquhar DG4 6RA |
What happens next?
What happens next?
Following the first round of consultation we will develop a detailed design and alignment for the new project overhead line, including locations for towers, access routes and working areas. We will publish a report summarising the feedback received in this first round of consultation and how this has influenced our proposals.
We will carry out a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and hold a second round of public consultation, so that people can give us their views on detailed route alignments.
After considering the feedback received in the second round of consultation, we will finalise our project proposals and submit consent applications to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, for consideration by Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Ministers will then undertake a final round of statutory consultation before making any decision on our applications.
Who are SP Energy Networks?
Who are SP Energy Networks?
SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower Group. We are responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity in central and southern Scotland, and, through SP Manweb, the distribution network in North Wales and part of North West England. Our role is to maintain, operate and invest in our network to secure a safe, reliable, and economic service for current and future consumers.
What statutory obligations does SP Energy Networks have?
What statutory obligations does SP Energy Networks have?
Our statutory obligations are set out in the Electricity Act 1989 and in our transmission licence. We must develop and maintain an efficient, coordinated and economical transmission system in accordance with security and quality of supply standards. We must offer to connect new power generators to the system and, make sure any work we do keeps disturbance to the natural and built environment and the people who live in it, work in it or enjoy it to a minimum.
Who regulates SP Energy Networks?
Who regulates SP Energy Networks?
We are regulated by Ofgem (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets), and independent national regulatory body. Further information about Ofgem is available on:
Why is the Glenmuckloch to Redshaw Reinforcement Project needed?
Why is the Glenmuckloch to Redshaw Reinforcement Project needed?
The UK is in the middle of a transformation, with the electricity we use increasingly coming from greener, cleaner sources, as many new renewable generators replace older fossil-fuelled power stations.
The existing electricity transmission network in the south of Scotland will soon be at full capacity, unable to accommodate all the clean, green renewable energy we will all need in future.
Around 2GW (gigawatts) of new renewable energy is expected to connect to the transmission network in the area around Glenmuckloch and Glenglass in the future. A new overhead line will be needed to connect this energy to the existing 400kV (400,000 volt) transmission network at the proposed new Redshaw substation, close to the M74 motorway.
What exactly are you proposing?
What exactly are you proposing?
The Glenmuckloch to Redshaw Reinforcement Project involves construction of a new double-circuit 400kV overhead line on galvanised steel towers (pylons), running north-east for approximately 23km from the proposed new substation at Glenmuckloch to the proposed new Redshaw substation at Red Moss, close to the M74 motorway, where it will connect to the existing high-voltage transmission network.
We will also need to create temporary accesses to tower construction areas, and construction compounds to store materials. There are well-established procedures in place for creating and then decommissioning these, to minimise impact on the environment and local communities.
How much will the project cost?
How much will the project cost?
It is early days and we won’t be able to cost the project fully until we have a definite proposal.
Who will pay for this project?
Who will pay for this project?
Ultimately, the cost of our investment in the electricity system is partly borne by consumers through electricity bills, so we are obliged to be economic and efficient. We recover our costs through transmission charges levied by National Grid.
The amount we invest in our networks and the amount we are able to recover is agreed with Ofgem, which is committed to working with industry, governments and consumer groups to deliver a net zero economy at the lowest cost to consumers. You can find out more about Ofgem here.
Who gives you permission to construct new overhead lines?
Who gives you permission to construct new overhead lines?
We will be applying for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to install the proposed overhead lines. As such, applications will be submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, and Scottish Ministers will make the final decision whether to grant or refuse it.
How will you determine the final route of the new overhead line?
How will you determine the final route of the new overhead line?
The routeing of overhead lines is a complex process, requiring a balance to be struck between statutory obligations, engineering requirements, economic viability, the environment, and people who live, work, enjoy recreation and pass through it.
We are following established guidelines for routeing transmission overhead lines, which combine in-depth environmental studies with technical and economic factors. A key part of this is consultation with landowners, stakeholders and the public to inform the development of the project.
You can find out more about how we develop routes in our Approach to Routeing and Environmental Impact Assessment document, which is available on our website.
You can find detailed information specific to the routeing of the proposed new Glenmuckloch to Redshaw Reinforcement Project in our Routeing and Consultation Report.
What will the new overhead line look like and how high will it be?
What will the new overhead line look like and how high will it be?
The new overhead line will be carried on L12 lattice steel towers (pylons). Each tower will have three arms on each side, and each arm will carry a set of conductors (wires). This is because there will be a circuit on each side of the towers, and each circuit has three sets of wires. The towers are made of galvanised steel. They are grey in colour and become duller in appearance after about 18 months.
The towers (L12 design) have a standard height of 46 metres and are placed approximately 300 metres apart. The exact height and distance between them will vary depending on the landscape and any obstacles the lines need to cross, such as roads, rivers and railway lines, to ensure electrical safety clearance to the ground.
Lower-height towers can also be used in some situations, such as in proximity to wind turbines. The low-tower L12 has four cross-arms (two on each side) with a standard height of 35m.
How will the overhead line be constructed?
How will the overhead line be constructed?
The construction of OHLs requires additional temporary infrastructure such as temporary accesses to tower locations and construction compounds to store materials. All have limited maintenance requirements, and all are subject to well-established procedures for dismantling/decommissioning
Following site preparation, excavations are required to install each tower leg and its foundations. The towers are then erected in sections before the conductors are ‘strung’ between them.
You can find more information about the construction process in our Routeing and Consultation Report.
Can the new line go underground?
Can the new line go underground?
Under the Electricity Act 1989, SPEN is required to consider technical, economic and environmental matters, and reach a balance between them.
High voltage, high capacity overhead lines are the proven economic and reliable choice for the bulk transmission of electricity throughout the world.
SPEN will consider undergrounding a 132kV, 275kV or 400kV overhead line, or section of that line, in particular circumstances where no suitable route for an overhead line can be identified. You can find out more about this in our Approach to Routeing and Environmental Impact Assessment document, which is available on our website.
How are you consulting local people?
How are you consulting local people?
We are planning two rounds of public consultation before we submit our consent applications to the Scottish Government.
The first round of consultation, from 24 February 2024 to 28 March 2024, is to seek people’s views on our preferred route for the proposed new overhead line, and where the new line might go within that route. You can find full details of our consultation here.
Following this first round of consultation we will develop a detailed design and alignment for the new overhead line, including locations for towers, access routes and working areas. We will publish a report summarising the feedback received in this first round of consultation and how this has influenced our proposals.
We will then carry out a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment and hold a second round of public consultation, so that people can give us their views on the detailed route alignment.
After considering feedback received in the second round of consultation, we will finalise our proposals and submit consent applications to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, for consideration by the Scottish Ministers.
The Scottish Ministers will then undertake a final round of statutory consultation before making any decision on our applications.
Are you consulting landowners?
Are you consulting landowners?
Yes, we will be talking to owners and occupiers of land that might be affected by our preferred route. If you believe that your land may be affected and you have not yet heard from us, please contact us.