People in South Lanarkshire will have the chance to have their say on the proposed routing of the overhead line connecting the proposed Oliver Forest Windfarm to the local electricity network.
SP Energy Networks is consulting on the suggested 27km preferred route, which will connect the windfarm in the Scottish Borders to the proposed Redshaw substation, 11km south of Biggar in South Lanarkshire. The developer-funded connection will help deliver more green power into the network to support increasing demand for electricity for more low-carbon technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps.
Local people are being invited to find out more about the project, meet the team and ask any questions at two community drop-in events being held locally.
Monday 16 June 2025 | 15:00 – 19:00
The Old School House, 70 Carlisle Road, Abington, Biggar, ML12 6SD.
Tuesday 17 June 2025 | 15:00 – 19:00
Crawfordjohn Village Hall (Main Hall), Manse Rd, Crawfordjohn, Biggar, ML12 6SR.
Anyone unable to make the drop-in events can find out more about the project online by visiting www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/olivers_forest_connection.aspx
Consultation on the project will run from 9 June 2025 to 25 July 2025 and during this time members of the public can share their views by:
Filling out a feedback form online,
Submitting by post to:
Oliver Forest Wind Farm Connection Project, Land and Planning
Team, SP Energy Networks, 55 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow, G32 8FA; or
Or by sending an email with feedback to:
oliversforestproject@spenergynetworks.co.uk.
Feedback received during the first round of consultation on our preferred route will be tak-en into consideration alongside findings of environmental surveys to help identify the final proposed alignment for the overhead line.
It will help inform the development of a consent application which will be submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit
Margaret McGleish, Environmental Planner at SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re delivering the biggest upgrade the grid has ever seen – ensuring our electricity network supports a cleaner and greener future for all – and working with the communities we serve to deliver the best possible outcomes is at the heart of this.
“The project is currently in its early stages, and we would like to hear your views on the pre-ferred route running from the proposed Oliver Forest Windfarm to the proposed Redshaw substation.
“There is real value and benefit in local people taking part in consultations like this, so we hope that people take the time to look at the proposals and feedback or if they can, drop-in to one of our consultation events.”