After more than 40 years at SP Energy Networks, Dumfries & Galloway’s Kenny Bowie is reflecting on how the region’s energy network has transformed during his time with the company.
Kenny began his career with the business in 1984 as a Craft Apprentice Fitter and progressed through a wide range of engineering and leadership roles before becoming District General Manager in Dumfries. After three impactful years in the role, he has now retired, with long‑standing colleague Stuart McConnachie taking over the position in 2025.
Over his 41-year career, Kenny witnessed firsthand the evolution of the electricity network in the South of Scotland, from connecting some of the area’s earliest windfarms to introducing cutting‑edge digital technology that helps engineers detect and prevent faults before they occur.
Kenny’s remarkable service joins the milestone achievements of 35 colleagues in the region who recently celebrated 30 years with SP Energy Networks. Their decades of dedication have been vital in supporting the South of Scotland’s journey towards cleaner, greener energy.
Kenny Bowie, retired District General Manager at SP Energy Networks in Dumfries, said: “I’ve seen firsthand how SP Energy Networks and ScottishPower have shaped energy and communities in the South of Scotland for decades, and I’m honoured to have been part of that journey.
From connecting rural homes and leading storm response teams to teaching local children about electrical safety, every part of the role has meant a great deal to me. Receiving the ScottishPower Community Champion Award in 2019 remains one of my proudest moments.
I’m delighted to hand over to Stuart and the brilliant team across the region. With major upgrades planned in the years ahead, we’ll continue to see exceptional innovation and new technology supporting communities as they grow.”
This commitment to innovation is echoed in the local community. In a recent survey commissioned by ScottishPower through Censuswide, 81% of residents said that bringing new technology and innovation to the area is essential.
Stuart McConnachie, who now leads the Dumfries district, has been powering local communities for three decades. He joined SP Energy Networks in 1995 as an Apprentice Linesman, later working in the specialist Live Lines Hands-On team, coordinating major projects, and championing operational delivery and safety.
He became Head of Delivery in 2023 before stepping into the District General Manager role last summer.
Stuart McConnachie, District General Manager at SP Energy Networks in Dumfries, said: “This is a really exciting time for the south of Scotland, with more than £56 million investment secured for the region until 2028 and further investment to follow.
Our team supplies power to more than 126,000 homes and over 8,000 businesses, so maintaining strong local infrastructure and strong community relationships is vital.
I’ve known Kenny since the day I started in 1995, when he was a Team Leader. We worked closely over the last five years ahead of his retirement, and his dedication to bringing communities together has always been inspiring.”
In December 2025, Ofgem approved SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Business Plan, which sets out a £12 billion investment programme for the transmission network across central and southern Scotland from 2026 to 2031. This major investment will unlock additional network capacity and support the transition to a cleaner, all‑electric future.