Callisterhall Wind Farm Connection

Scotland is a world leader in the fight against climate change. We are producing more clean, green energy than ever before, and we need to strengthen the transmission network so we can get it to the homes, businesses, hospitals and public services that need it.

As part of their commitments to tackling climate change, the Scottish and UK Governments have set legally binding targets to reach net zero in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 in Scotland and by 2050 in the rest of the UK. In delivering net zero, the demand for electricity is forecast to grow rapidly over the next few years, with electric vehicles replacing petrol and diesel, and increased electrification of heating, industry and transport networks. In addition, the electricity generation system is undergoing transformational change with traditional power stations being replaced by renewable sources, i.e., hydro and wind power etc.

As an electricity transmission licence holder, SP Transmission plc (SPT), a wholly owned subsidiary of SP Energy Networks (SPEN), is responsible for the transmission of electricity in central and southern Scotland and has a legal duty under the Electricity Act 1989 to provide grid connections to new electricity-generating developments. We have been contracted via the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to provide a connection from the proposed Callisterhall Wind Farm, located approximately 8 km west of Langholm, to the existing Gretna substation, located approximately 4 km north of Gretna, within the Dumfries & Galloway Council area.

The Proposal

The proposed 132kV connection between Callisterhall Wind Farm and Gretna substation involves the construction of overhead lines (OHL) over a distance of approximately 16 km.

SPEN’s policy is to seek a continuous OHL for transmission connections, in line with statutory license requirements.

The final design, including how the connection enters each substation, is still under development and may include terminal poles or a section/sections of UGC.

Project Documents

Have your say

We are consulting the public on our proposals between 1^st December 2025 and 16^th January 2026.

You can view physical consultation materials and share feedback at the following event:

Tuesday 2 December at Chapelknowe Village Hall, Canonbie, DG14 0YF, between 2PM and 7PM.

You can also share your views by email at callisterhallconnectionproject@spenergynetworks.co.uk or write to:

Callisterhall Wind Farm Connection
Land and Planning Team
SP Energy Networks
55 Fullarton Drive
Glasgow
G32 8FA

Feedback can also be provided via our online feedback form (available from the start of the consultation period on 1 December 2025).

What happens next?

Comments received during the consultation on our preferred route will be taken into consideration alongside findings of environmental surveys to help identify the final proposed route.

We are planning to hold a second round of consultation events in 2026 to share how we have taken on board your comments and seek feedback on our final proposals before we submit a Section 37 application to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit to seek permission for the development.

FAQs

Who are SP Energy Networks?

SP Energy Networks is part of the Scottish Power Group. We are responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity in Central and Southern Scotland (through Scottish Power Transmission), and, through SP Manweb, the distribution network in North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire. Our role is to maintain, operate and invest in our network to secure a safe, reliable, and economic service for current and future consumers.

What statutory obligations does SP Energy Networks have?

Our statutory obligations are set out in the Electricity Act 1989 and in our transmission licence. We must develop and maintain an efficient, coordinated, and economical transmission system in accordance with security and quality of supply standards. We must offer to connect new power generators to the system and make sure any work we do keeps disturbance to the natural and built environment and the people who live in it, work in it, or enjoy it, to a minimum.

Who regulates SP Energy Networks?

We are regulated by Ofgem (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets), an independent national regulatory body. Further information about Ofgem is available at:

www.ofgem.gov.uk

Calling Ofgem's Consumer Affairs team on 020 7901 7295

Emailing consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk

What exactly are you proposing?

The proposed 132kV connection between Callisterhall Wind Farm and Gretna substation involves the construction of overhead lines (OHL) over a distance of approximately 16 km. The final design, including how the connection enters each substation, is still under development and may include terminal poles or a section/sections of UGC.

How much will the project cost?

It is early days, and we won’t be able to cost the project fully until we have a definite proposal.

How are you consulting local people?

We are planning two rounds of public consultation before we submit our Section 37 application to Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.

First round consultation dates:

Date	Venue	Time
Tuesday 2^nd December 2025	Chapelknowe Village Hall, Canonbie, DG14 0YF	2PM - 7PM

If you are not able to attend the public consultation event, there are other ways you can provide feedback:

Fill in a feedback form online (available from the start of the consultation period on 2 December 2025).

Postal address for feedback forms:

Callisterhall Wind Farm Connection
Land and Planning Team
SP Energy Networks
55 Fullarton Drive
Glasgow
G32 8FA

If your question is not answered within these FAQs, you can email the dedicated project mailbox: callisterhallconnectionproject@spenergynetworks.co.uk

Can you tell me more about Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs)?

SPEN follows the advice of independent experts, and all overhead lines comply with UK Government Policy, which is based upon adoption of the 1998 guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). This policy was reaffirmed in a Written Ministerial Statement in October 2009.

The guidelines state that the levels of field required to achieve compliance are as follows:

Electric Field – 9kV/m

Magnetic Field – 360 microtesla

We will be undertaking an electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) assessment as part of the EIA for this project and will confirm that these levels have been met.

There has been a lot of research into whether electric and magnetic fields have any effect on health, and over £300m and many decades has been invested in investigating this issue around the world. Research still continues but the balance of scientific evidence to date suggests that EMFs do not cause disease.

We have dedicated EMF resources to assist the public and to provide further information, including, if appropriate, home visits and measurement of electric and magnetic fields. Copies of the leaflet “EMFs – the facts” were available at our public consultation events. We also directed people to the website www.emfs.info for further information.

Electric and Magnetic fields – The Facts (opens in a new window) is a document produced by the UK electricity industry.

Further information can be found at www.emfs.inf