Clydesmill to Strathaven Upgrade Project (CVUP)

SP Energy Networks is upgrading the electricity network in central and southern Scotland. With total demand set to double by 2050, we need a grid that’s ready to meet future electricity needs, while boosting the nation’s energy security for generations to come. To learn more about how we are aiming to meet future energy needs, please read about our Strategic Network Design work

To help make this happen, we are proposing to upgrade the existing overhead electricity lines between our Clydesmill (Cambuslang) and Strathaven (Hamilton) substations from 275kV to 400 kV. The work will also include a new 275 kV underground cable, a new tower at both substations, an extension to our existing Strathaven substation, and improvements to existing towers. This will help strengthen the electricity transmission network and help guarantee secure energy supplies for the future.

Our proposals

Our proposed upgrade works include:

refurbishing and reconductoring works on a 10.4km stretch of existing overhead line between our Clydesmill and Strathaven substations
constructing new towers at Clydesmill and Strathaven substations
installing a new 275kV underground cable between Strathaven substation and our Malcolmwood compound
extension to existing Strathaven substation
installing temporary construction compounds, laydown areas, hardstanding, access roads and vegetation clearance for the construction phase.

Proposed Development

The reconductoring of the existing line and the improvements to the existing towers have previously been consented and no further consent for these works is being sought as part of the current application. These works will nevertheless be included within the Environmental Impact Assessment, that will accompany the application for consent, where appropriate. This will enable the environmental effects of the overall works to be assessed comprehensively.

We aim to complete these works with as little disruption to local communities and the environment as possible. For this project, we propose using existing infrastructure where possible, reducing the need for new construction and supporting a more efficient use of resources. We are developing our proposals with these considerations in mind, alongside technical and economic feasibility.

In November 2026, we will be seeking feedback from local communities, businesses and stakeholders to help us further develop our proposals. We will publish more information about the proposals in a consultation document, available on this webpage from the 12 October 2026.

Project Documents

The Clydesmill to Strathaven Upgrade Project Consultation Document will be uploaded on 12th October 2026

Have your say

Our first public consultation for the initial proposals will open from Monday 2 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026, during which you can provide feedback. If you have any queries before the consultation period, please reach out to us by phone, email or post using the contact details listed below.

We are holding two initial drop-in consultation sessions. There is no need to register. Simply come along and have a chat with us on the day:

Monday 2 November 2026, 3pm to 7pm
Halfway Community Hub, 211 Hamilton Road, Cambuslang G72 7PJ
Tuesday 3 November 2026, 3pm to 7pm
Hillhouse and Earnock Community Centre, 121 Hillhouse Road, Hamilton ML3 9TX

Alternatively, you can provide project feedback via email at CVUP@spencontact.co.uk by calling 0800 107 8231 (freephone) or write to us at FREEPOST SPEN CVUP.

Please note that any data collected through your consultation feedback will only be used to help understand views regarding the Clydesmill to Strathaven Upgrade Project. The data will not be used for any other purposes. The data will be collated and analysed to help in the reporting of consultation feedback.  

SP Energy Networks is committed to respecting your privacy and will comply with all applicable data protection and privacy laws. We’re consulting you to get your views on the proposed Clydesmill to Strathaven Upgrade Project, so we may need to share your information with certain other bodies for the purposes of the consultation and for creating reports. These are: other Scottish Power Group companies, third party service providers, contractors or advisors who provide services to us; relevant planning authorities. 

For further information on our Privacy Policy, please visit https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/privacy.aspx

What happens next?

Following our initial public consultation, we will continue to develop our proposals, taking feedback from communities and stakeholders into consideration, alongside ongoing environmental assessment and engineering work. Once we have refined our proposals, we will hold a further public consultation to share our updated proposals and explain how your feedback has helped to shape their development.

We are seeking to submit an application under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 and apply to the Scottish Ministers for deemed planning permission under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 for consent to construct the project. This will be submitted along with an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report which will assess and report on the project’s potential environmental impacts.

The improvements to the existing towers have previously been consented and no further consent for these works is being sought as part of the current application. These works will nevertheless be included within the Environmental Impact Assessment, that will accompany the application for consent, where appropriate. This will enable the environmental effects of the overall works to be assessed comprehensively.

All comments made through this consultation are not formal representations to the consenting authority. You will have an opportunity to make formal representation once we submit a Section 37 consent application for all proposed works to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU).