The first phase of a mammoth £100million investment project to upgrade the electricity supply in Glasgow by 2023 is well on track, according to SP Energy Networks (SPEN), the firm which owns and maintains the power network in Central and Southern Scotland.
The initial work has seen £10million spent in Glasgow this year alone with a further £12million investment planned for the city’s electricity network in 2018. The investment will benefit around 427,000 customers in the city of Glasgow, Coulport, Helensburgh, Balloch, Dumbarton, Blanefield and Cambuslang.
A £3million upgrade of the Port Dundas substation this year saw it fitted with the latest technology to improve reliability of electricity supply for 29,000 local homes and businesses. It will also allow the 500 new homes and 6,000 square metres of commercial space being developed in Port Dundas as part of Glasgow’s City Deal to be integrated seamlessly into the existing electricity network.
In Govan and Partick, work is under way to replace 60 substations as part of a £10million upgrade to modernise infrastructure originally used by heavy industry and shipbuilding. It will give the areas additional capacity for commercial and housing growth, while linking with the new Glasgow University Technology Campus and planned commercial development in Tradeston.
Next year major upgrades are planned for Charlotte Street (in the Gallowgate) and Killermont substations. Replacing major pieces of equipment there will cost over £4million but ultimately improve the reliability of the local electricity network.
David Guthrie, SPEN’s District General Manager for Glasgow, said: “We’re committed to maintaining and improving the electricity network for everyone in Glasgow. It’s our job to keep the city’s lights on today and for generations to come. The first phase of activity has gone as planned and work is already underway on the second phase of the £100 million investment.
“Before work takes place, our teams engage with customers through community meetings, doorstep conversations and letters. In the meantime, if any of our customers have specific needs or vulnerabilities that require additional support, then I would encourage them to sign up to our Priority Service Register by calling 0330 1010 167.”
SP Energy Networks is the distribution arm of utility company ScottishPower and owns and manages overhead and underground powerlines in Central and Southern Scotland as well as Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire. For more information about SP Energy Networks and its services, visit: spenergynetworks.co.uk