Scotland’s ambitious transition to clean energy has gained fresh momentum, as SP Energy Networks unveils £1.4b in contracts to deliver critical transmission projects across central and southern Scotland. The investment is a key part of efforts to modernise the country’s energy infrastructure and move decisively toward the Scottish Government’s Clean Power 2030 target.
Clean Power 2030
The Clean Power 2030 mission is Scotland’s commitment to decarbonising electricity generation within this decade. At its core, the plan is about ensuring that the nation’s homes, businesses, and industries are powered by renewable sources, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
But building wind turbines and solar farms is only half the equation. Getting that clean energy to where it’s needed requires a modern, resilient electricity grid—something that has often lagged behind in energy debates.
Recognising that gap, SP Energy Networks, part of ScottishPower, has launched a supply chain programme to support a £1.4b overhaul of the onshore transmission network. This forms part of a wider £5.4b investment by the company over the next decade to rewire and reinforce the grid for a low-carbon future.
Partnerships
The announcement was made at an event near SP Energy Networks’ Glasgow headquarters, where CEO Nicola Connelly and Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP met with representatives from the 19 suppliers awarded contracts. Seventeen of those companies are based in the UK—a deliberate move to keep jobs, skills, and investment within local communities.
“These partnerships aren’t just about infrastructure—they’re about building long-term confidence in our supply chains,” Connelly explained. “It means companies can invest in their workforce, open new offices, and create opportunities that will benefit Scotland for decades.”
The projects covered by these contracts are wide-ranging, from the construction of new high-voltage substations to upgrading overhead lines and critical electrical works. Among the most significant is the Denny to Wishaw Network Optimisation (DWNO) project, designed to improve resilience, boost capacity, and connect Scotland more effectively to renewable energy sources.
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, the sole contractor for both substations and overhead lines on the DWNO project, will soon open a joint office at Eurocentral, underlining the economic boost these projects bring to Scotland’s central belt.
Biggest upgrade
“This is the biggest upgrade to the UK energy network in a generation,” said Simon Smith, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure. “But it’s also about creating jobs, developing skills, and ensuring local communities see real, lasting benefits.”
The grid modernisation programme aligns closely with ScottishPower’s wider £24b UK investment pledge, two-thirds of which is earmarked for electricity networks. The company’s five-year business plan for 2026–2031, to be submitted to Ofgem later this year, will further outline its role in achieving Clean Power 2030.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks was clear about the significance: “This isn’t abstract policy; this is the clean energy transition happening on the ground. Modernising the grid means we can get more Scottish-generated clean power to homes and businesses—not just here, but across the UK.”
As Scotland pushes forward, the emphasis is on practical action. Infrastructure upgrades like these may lack the headline appeal of offshore wind farms or giant battery installations, but they are the foundation on which a clean, secure, and affordable energy system depends.
For a nation rich in renewable resources, but constrained by outdated infrastructure, this marks a critical step toward a more connected, resilient, and sustainable energy future.
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