SP Energy Networks has finalised an £8.4 million upgrade of its Kilmarnock Town substation in East Ayrshire, part of a broader effort to modernise the UK’s electricity infrastructure in anticipation of rising energy demand and climate goals.
The project, launched in March 2023, included the replacement of two ageing transformers and updates to equipment such as switchgear and circuit breakers that had reached the end of their operational life. The upgrades are intended to improve reliability and expand the capacity of the local electricity network.
The company said the substation enhancements will allow for greater integration of locally generated renewable electricity into the national grid, supporting the UK’s long-term targets for decarbonisation and energy security.
“With the completion of our Kilmarnock Town substation upgrade project, we’re improving the reliability of the power supply for homes and businesses in Kilmarnock and surrounding areas,” said Jason McInally, Project Manager at SP Energy Networks.
“Kilmarnock is now better equipped than ever to meet the demands of a low-carbon future,” he added. “For decades to come the region will play a key role in renewable energy generation, helping more people across the UK to access clean, green, secure energy.”
The investment aligns with national ambitions to achieve a fully decarbonised power system by 2030 and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
SP Energy Networks’ work in Kilmarnock forms part of a wider UK-wide transmission network upgrade aimed at enabling economic growth, ensuring energy resilience, and accommodating a projected doubling of electricity demand by mid-century.
