M Group has secured a £110 million contract to replace more than 70 kilometres of overhead line on the Strathaven‑to‑Smeaton route, a key segment of the 400 kV network linking Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The refurbishment will replace all major components of a line originally built in the 1960s, installing almost one million metres of high‑capacity conductor to modernise the corridor between South Lanarkshire and East Lothian.
The award forms part of a £5.4 billion transmission framework that identified 19 preferred partners to deliver a £12 billion investment programme across central and southern Scotland, with the majority of contractors based in the UK and Ireland.
The partnership commences with a five‑year term, extendable to ten years, and covers up to £3 billion for new overhead lines and £2.4 billion for new or upgraded substations, encompassing design, engineering, construction and electrical works.
SP Energy Networks projects the contract will generate approximately 1 000 direct jobs and stimulate tens of thousands of additional positions throughout the supply chain.
Guy Jefferson, transmission managing director, highlighted the contract as evidence of economic growth driven by the £12 billion upgrade programme and emphasized a commitment to maximise opportunities for suppliers nationwide.
David Maddocks, managing director for overhead lines at M Group, noted that the project will replace 1960s components with advanced high‑capacity technology, securing skilled employment and ensuring long‑term reliability of the network.
Michael Shanks, minister for energy, described the investment as essential for delivering a clean, secure electricity supply while providing a substantial boost to UK supply chains and local communities.
ScottishPower has pledged a £24 billion investment in the UK through 2028, reinforcing its long‑term commitment to upgrading national energy infrastructure.
Recent activity includes £102.9 million in contracts for the operation and maintenance of 24 on‑shore wind farms and a £600 million allocation from the National Wealth Fund for the Eastern Green Link 4 subsea cable project.
SP Energy Networks operates more than 4 500 km of overhead lines, 600 km of underground cables, over 150 substations, and undersea high‑voltage links, and its five‑year business plan for 2026‑2031 has received regulatory approval.
