SP Energy Networks has announced a £13 million grid improvement project in the Scottish Borders, aimed at enhancing the resilience and reliability of the electricity network. The upgrade will include the installation of an 18km underground cable along the A72 Peebles Road and the modernization of the Yair Bridge substation. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

The initiative will benefit approximately 8,000 homes and businesses in Peebles, Innerleithen, Walkerburn, and Yair Bridge. It will also enable the removal of the Walkerburn substation, which has been prone to flooding, and implement additional protective measures for overhead lines in the region.

This upgrade is part of SP Energy Networks’ broader £180 million investment plan for Edinburgh and the Borders from 2023 to 2028. The project is designed to meet growing demand for electricity as more low-carbon technologies like electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps are integrated into the grid.

Works are set to begin in October 2024, pending council approval, and are expected to last around 14 months. David Climie, district general manager for Edinburgh and the Borders, emphasized the project's significance in futureproofing the local electricity network, ensuring it supports greener choices and delivers long-term benefits.

“We are excited to get started and appreciate the importance of minimizing disruption during the works,” said Climie. “This investment will make a real and lasting difference for the community.”

Source: renews.biz