Energy infrastructure project updates
SSEN Transmission has already committed a £22 billion grid infrastructure investment in Scotland by 2030 which indicates the level of activity required in the next 6 years.
In Argyll, our team has been busy with numerous preconstruction agreements with clients on the LT194 Creag Dhubh – Inveraray 275kV OHL Project. The work has now begun, and we continue supporting our clients through the works and post-construction issues.
In the North East, our clients are being affected by large pylon refurbishment projects including the Kincardine to Kintore – East Coast 400kV Upgrade (SPEN XL). Across central Scotland, the large pylon refurbishment project from Denny to Kintore is in the preliminary stages, and we are already supporting existing and new clients at this early stage.
In central and southern Scotland, the Cross Border Connection is seeing opposition. The proposed new pylon line from Galashiels to Cumbria has been through public consultation on the preferred route corridor on the Scottish side of the Border, and we have already provided feedback on behalf of existing clients about potential issues and how this project will impact their property and businesses. The next stage will see proposals for tower placement, and we expect consultation on this to begin in Q3 2026.
Major transmission pylon maintenance is required right across Scotland. It includes surveys of concrete foundations, painting pylon towers, and replacing spacers and cables. The large glass insulators are 8 feet tall and weigh a tonne, so will be lowered by a winch and new ones erected. We have many clients affected by these works already and know of new works planned around Perth to Glasgow, Glasgow to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Scottish Borders and Galashiels to Eccles.
The Eastern Green Link 4 high voltage cable from Fife to Norfolk, will see cables from the substation travel offshore, and down the southeast coast to Norfolk. It has a short but significant 16km onshore element in Fife and we are acting for clients in the area.
Water, gas, and rail infrastructure updates
Most of the works across these utilities are focused on repairs, upgrades, and new connections rather than major new projects, with a substantial number of projects underway.
We understand that Scottish Water’s next major budget will focus on existing assets as they try get in front of critical incidents on their network, upgrading and repairing old apparatus. Some of their older pipes are no longer fit for purpose, and combined with capacity and volume changes, it means refurbishment work is progressing to deal with leaks, bursts, and sewage issues.
The story is similar for gas pipelines where SGN/NGT (Gas) are refurbishing pipelines but also potentially looking at upgrading old gas pipes to cope with hydrogen in the future.
For Network Rail, the focus is also on maintenance. Their planned Border’s Railway Electrification Project (BRP) has still not come to fruition, but our clients are still affected by the initial works ahead of electrification.
If you are likely to be affected by infrastructure projects seek professional advice as soon as possible. For more information contact Alasdair Allan or the D&R Utilities Energy & Infrastructure team on 0131 448 6212.
Our Renewable Energy Teams
For over 25 years, D&R has been actively supporting clients in the renewable sector, and as the demand for these services grows, we have now created two specialised teams – supporting landowners and renewable developers. It means we are well equipped to keep landowners abreast of new renewable projects, and potentially share opportunities with developers, brought forward by our landowning clients.
