ScottishPower Secures Record £12 Billion Investment for Scotland’s Energy Future

Historic Investment Approved for Grid Transformation

ScottishPower’s plans to invest up to £12 billion in transforming central and southern Scotland’s electricity transmission network have been approved by UK energy regulator Ofgem in its RIIO-T3 final determination, which runs from 2026 to 2031. This represents the company’s largest-ever infrastructure programme and marks a significant milestone in the UK’s transition to renewable energy.

The £12bn package represents a record investment in a major rewiring programme that will unlock capacity and economic growth, as well as reducing electricity bills and network constraints. With Britain’s electricity demand expected to double by 2050, this investment comes at a critical time for the nation’s energy infrastructure.

Major Infrastructure Upgrades and Job Creation

SP Energy Networks will now begin work to build 12 new major substations, upgrade 450km of existing circuits, reconduct 87km of overhead lines and replace 35km of underground cable between 2026 and 2031. The investment also includes two new subsea electrical superhighways off the east coast of Scotland, with Eastern Green Link 1 and Eastern Green Link 4 subsea high voltage lines having a joint capacity of 4GW and combined subsea cable length of 706km.

The project promises substantial employment opportunities for Scotland. ScottishPower aims for 300 new jobs by 2026 and a further 2,000 by 2027. Scottish Power has claimed that its job creation ambitions would serve as a ‘lifeline’ for Grangemouth oil refinery workers who were facing redundancy after the site’s closure, demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting workers during the energy transition.

Significance for Scotland’s Energy Future

This unprecedented investment underscores Scotland’s pivotal role in the UK’s clean energy transformation. The modernised grid will enable greater renewable energy generation, reduce network bottlenecks, and strengthen energy security for consumers across Scotland and beyond.

For Scottish households and businesses, this development promises long-term benefits through improved grid reliability, enhanced capacity for renewable energy sources, and ultimately more stable electricity costs. As Scotland continues to lead the UK in renewable power generation, ScottishPower’s commitment demonstrates that the transition to green energy can create tangible economic opportunities while supporting the nation’s climate goals.