A MAJOR refurbishment project on the SP Energy Network in the Borders and East Lothian has been completed.

The project will improve the resilience of the region's electricity supply and move towards a greener future.

Costing £45 million, the project covers more than 40 miles between Cockenzie in East Lothian and Eccles, near Kelso.

The project is part of a £2 billion investment to "futureproof the transmission network across Central and Southern Scotland" over a five year period.

Pearse Murray, SP transmission director at SP Energy Networks, said: “This project forms part of our extensive investment programme, and highlights the unique role we play in connecting renewable generation. Our transmission system is a key enabler for ensuring security of supplies throughout the energy transition, so maintaining resilience of that is absolutely critical.

“This refurbishment is a significant milestone, which will help increase network capacity for many homes and businesses across the county and it further underlines our commitment to investing in and enhancing our infrastructure to help meet Net Zero emissions targets.

“I’d like to thank the local landowners and communities for their continued cooperation throughout the project to ensure that it could progress with minimal impact on the surrounding areas.”

The 400kV route, known as the ‘ZA overhead line', was erected in the 1960s and plays a substantial role in supplying renewable energy to 150,000 customers across the region.

The project first began in November 2020 with 190 towers inspected and refurbished, and more than 788km conductors and insulators replaced.

SP Energy Networks hope these refurbishments will support green technologies in the Borders such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.

For more information about SP Energy Networks and its services, visit: spenergynetworks.co.uk