ScottishPower has completed work on a major new substation in Stirling as part of a wider £3.8million upgrade in the City to boost the capacity on the electricity network, with the aim of aiding future developments, as well as improving the overall reliability of electricity supplies.
The company has recently completed the construction of a new primary substation in the Kerse Road Industrial Estate area of the City, which will significantly increase overall network capacity across Stirling. This major infrastructure upgrade is central to supporting Stirling’s future growth plans, and is the pivotal feature of a wider package of upgrades being carried out by ScottishPower.
Further work is now being undertaken in the City Centre area, with the intention of modernising the network that supports the commercial district, including the Thistle Centre and surrounding businesses.
ScottishPower engineers are working in Port Street, where the company has taken the decision to completely renew the underground cables that connect the businesses in the area following inspections. This means that completion dates for work in the area will be extended for a further 8 – 12 weeks, but will result in a much stronger local electricity network. In order to minimise any disruption, additional engineers have been assigned to the area to complete the work.
Further work will include upgrades to the network in Raploch and Kildean, which is currently in the planning stages. This work is designed to support Stirling Council’s Development Plan, which includes an extension to Castle Business Park. ScottishPower engineers have designed a new network layout for the area which will ensure that the electricity supplies will be in place to support any future commercial developments.
Pearse Murray, Network Development Director at ScottishPower Energy Networks, said: “The work we are carrying out in Stirling will support growth and improve the security of electricity supplies in the City for many years to come. We are investing significantly in the electricity network to help support Stirling Council’s future development plans and to ensure the City has modern and robust infrastructure.
“When our work is completed, we will have increased capacity in the Stirling area by around 30% - which is a significant upgrade. More than 100 engineers are involved in carrying out the network upgrade, and we will do all that we can to minimise any inconvenience caused by the work.”
The Member of the Scottish Parliament for Stirling, Bruce Crawford MSP said:
“I am very pleased that ScottishPower are undertaking this investment particularly in regard to improvement of supply to businesses in the City Centre. This investment will be welcomed by existing businesses and also provides the City with the modern infrastructure required to support future growth.”
The Member of Parliament for Stirling, Anne McGuire MP, said:
“I am delighted to hear that this upgrade in Stirling City Centre will help to encourage further development, maximising retail and commercial opportunities for local businesses, and building on the existing facilities the City has to offer. With this increased capacity the attraction of Stirling as the place to grow business and attract visitors has no doubt been enhanced.”
The programme of works in the city centre area will be fully completed by November, and the upgrades to Raploch and Kildean, which are currently being planned, are scheduled for completion in spring 2013.
Media Information: Paul Ferguson, 0141 614 4535