M Group Lands £110m Grid Modernisation Deal on Key Scottish Transmission Corridor

ScottishPower has appointed M Group to overhaul more than 70km of ageing overhead power lines between Glasgow and Edinburgh as part of a multi-billion-pound programme to futureproof Britain's electricity network.

M Group has secured a £110 million contract to modernise one of Scotland's most strategically important electricity transmission routes, reinforcing the network that supplies power between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Awarded by ScottishPower, the project will see the complete refurbishment of the 400kV Strathaven to Smeaton overhead line, replacing infrastructure that has been in service since the 1960s with higher-capacity technology designed to meet the country's growing energy demands.

Stretching for more than 70 kilometres, the route links South Lanarkshire with East Lothian and forms a vital part of Scotland's high-voltage transmission network.

Preparing the Grid for Net Zero

The investment is part of ScottishPower's wider programme to transform the UK's electricity infrastructure as demand continues to grow through the electrification of transport, heating and industry.

The company has committed around £24 billion to UK energy infrastructure by 2028, with transmission upgrades forming a major element of what it has described as the country's largest rewiring programme since the original rollout of the national grid.

Increasing transmission capacity is seen as essential if the network is to accommodate rising levels of renewable generation while maintaining reliability and resilience.

Replacing Ageing Infrastructure

Under the contract, M Group will undertake a full refurbishment of the existing overhead line, replacing ageing components with modern equipment capable of carrying significantly greater electrical loads.

The project is expected to improve network resilience while creating additional capacity to transport renewable energy across Scotland and into the wider UK transmission system.

Alongside the engineering works, the company says the investment will support skilled employment and generate opportunities for local suppliers throughout central and southern Scotland.

Supporting a National Infrastructure Programme

The scheme forms part of a broader wave of electricity network investment taking place across the UK.

Transmission operators are delivering major reinforcement programmes to accommodate the rapid growth of offshore wind, solar generation, battery storage and electric vehicles.

Projects such as National Grid's Great Grid Upgrade and ScottishPower's ongoing transmission investment are intended to remove capacity constraints that could otherwise slow the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy system.

Investment Driving Jobs and Growth

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said investment in transmission infrastructure was critical to delivering a cleaner and more secure energy system while creating wider economic benefits.

He said modernising the electricity network would not only improve energy resilience but also generate skilled jobs, strengthen UK supply chains and stimulate investment across local communities.

Long-Term Commitment

David Maddocks, Managing Director of Overhead Lines at M Group, said the project represented a significant milestone for the business and would help modernise one of Scotland's most important transmission corridors.

He said replacing infrastructure that has served the network for more than six decades with advanced, high-capacity equipment would help ensure the system can meet future electricity demand while supporting long-term employment and delivering the project safely and efficiently.

Guy Jefferson, Transmission Managing Director at SP Energy Networks, added that the contract reflected the wider economic impact of the company's £12 billion investment programme across central and southern Scotland.

He said the programme was creating opportunities for contractors and suppliers throughout the UK while accelerating the modernisation of the electricity transmission network and supporting the growth of highly skilled jobs.

As investment in Britain's energy infrastructure gathers pace, projects such as the Strathaven to Smeaton upgrade are becoming increasingly important in preparing the electricity network for a future dominated by renewable generation and rising power demand.