The Proposal
There are two elements to the project:
Construction of a new 132 kilovolt (kV) overhead line between Galashiels and Eccles substations
Decommissioning and removal of the existing ‘AT’ and ‘U’ routes between Galashiels and Eccles substations
Key Features of the Proposed New 132kV Overhead Line
- The replacement overhead line will be approximately 30km in length
- It will be supported by 106 ‘L7’ steel lattice towers, each with six cross-arms (three on each side)
- Two ‘L8’ towers will be used where a wider span (i.e. distance between the towers) is required, and there will also be one junction tower.
- Tower heights will range from 26m to 43m, with an average of approximately 32m, depending on the ground profile
- The average span length (i.e. the distance between the towers) will be approximately 275m, with a maximum span of 500m. For comparison, the average span length for the existing ‘U’ route is around 274m and approximately 190m for the existing ‘AT’ route.
- Like the existing ‘U’ route, the new towers will be made from galvanised steel, which weathers to a grey colour within approximately 18 months.
- The new overhead line is expected to operate for approximately 80 years.
Underground Cable Section
A short section of the route will be undergrounded, with a cable (approximately 1.5km in length) running from the terminal tower, located near Easter Langlee Landfill and Waste Transfer Station, to Galashiels substation.
Decommissioning of the Existing Routes
To maintain electricity supply during construction of the new route, the existing ‘AT’ and ‘U’ routes will remain operational. Once the new route is constructed and energised, the existing routes will be safely removed and the ground reinstated.
Temporary Infrastructure during Construction
To enable safe and efficient construction, the project will require temporary infrastructure including:
- Working areas around each new and existing tower structure
- Pulling areas for stringing the overhead line
- Access tracks for construction and removal works
Journey So Far
September 2021: Routeing and Consultation Report Published
Four potential route options were initially identified for the new overhead line. These were comparatively appraised against a range of environmental, technical, social and economic criteria and Route Option 2 was chosen as the preferred route. The results were published in a Routeing and Consultation Report.
September-October 2021: Public Consultation (Online)
An online virtual consultation was held (due to the Covid-19 pandemic) to share the findings of the routeing work and to gather feedback from the public, landowners and consultee organisations on the preferred route and the proposals.
February 2022: Feedback Considered and Proposed Route Confirmed
All feedback was reviewed and Route Option 2 was confirmed as the Proposed Route to take forward. A summary of the feedback received was shared in a Consultation Feedback Report.
March 2023: EIA Scoping Request Submitted
We prepared and submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report to the Scottish Government to agree the environmental assessment approach.
June 2023: EIA Scoping Opinion Received
The Scottish Government provided its formal opinion on the scope of the EIA.
June 2023-Now: Detailed Design and Environmental Surveys
We have been refining the alignment of the replacement overhead line. This has been informed by environmental surveys, engineering work and ongoing engagement with landowners and consultees, including Scottish Borders Council.
Now-Spring 2026: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
An EIA will be undertaken, which will identify any likely significant environmental effects of the project and mitigation requirements. The results will be published in an EIA Report which will be submitted in support of the application for consent (under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989) in Spring 2026.
Next Steps
Spring 2026: Submit Application for Section 37 Consent
We will submit the application for Section 37 consent to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) for determination by Scottish Ministers. This will include the full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report which will also be made available on our website.
Spring 2026-Spring 2027: Application Consultation and Determination Period
After the application is submitted, the ECU will carry out a final round of statutory consultation before a decision is made on the application. During this stage, members of the public, consultee bodies and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide feedback directly to the Scottish Government. A decision by Scottish Ministers is expected around Spring 2027.
Spring 2028: Start of Construction (if consented)
If consented, construction of the new line is anticipated to start early 2028, following a period of discharging any conditions attached to the Section 37 consent.
Autumn 2030: Construction and Removal Works Completed
Construction of the new line will be completed by Autumn 2030.
Spring 2031: Dismantling of Existing Routes
Dismantling of the existing ‘AT’ and ‘U’ routes is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2031.
Find Out More
We place great importance on informing communities and stakeholders about our projects. We are now holding three in-person events to provide an update on the project. There will be an opportunity to meet the project team, ask questions and learn more about the project.
The events will be held at the following locations and times:
Tuesday, 2nd September 2025 – Gordon Village Hall, 2, A6105, Gordon, TD3 6JP (2-7pm)
Wednesday, 3rd September 2025 – Leitholm Village Hall, Main St, Leitholm, Coldstream, TD12 4JL (2-7pm)
Thursday, 4th September 2025 – Langlee Community Centre, Marigold Dr, Galashiels, TD1 2LP (2-7pm)
The purpose of these events is to share our final proposed design before we submit the Section 37 application. There will be an opportunity to comment on the proposals formally to the Scottish Government once the application has been submitted.
If you have any questions or would like more information, our team are here today to help. You can also get in touch using the contact details below.
Email: GalaEcclesOHL@spenergynetworks.co.uk
Post:
Galashiels to Eccles 132kV OHL Replacement Project
Land and Planning Team
SP Energy Networks
55 Fullarton Drive
Glasgow
G32 8FA
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:
What exactly are you proposing?
SP Energy Networks is proposing the Galashiels to Eccles 132kV Overhead Line (OHL) Replacement Project, which involves:
- Removing two existing OHLs (‘AT’ and ‘U’ routes) totalling approx. 56km between Galashiels and Eccles substations. The OHLs will be decommissioned and removed once the new line is operational to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during construction.
- Installing one new double circuit 132kV OHL, approx. 30km long, supported by ‘L7’ steel lattice towers (average height 22m).
- Including a short section of underground cable near Galashiels substation.
How are you consulting local people?
We are now holding three in-person events to provide an update on the project. There will be an opportunity to meet the project team, ask questions and learn more about the project.
The events will be held at the following locations and times:
Tuesday, 2nd September 2025 – Gordon Village Hall, 2, A6105, Gordon, TD3 6JP (2-7pm)
Wednesday, 3rd September 2025 – Leitholm Village Hall, Main St, Leitholm, Coldstream, TD12 4JL (2-7pm)
Thursday, 4th September 2025 – Langlee Community Centre, Marigold Drive, Galashiels, TD1 2LP (2-7pm)
The purpose of these events is to share our final proposed design before we submit the Section 37 application. There will be an opportunity to comment on the proposals formally to the Scottish Government once the application has been submitted.
If you have any questions or would like more information, our team are here today to help. You can also get in touch using the contact details below.
Email: GalaEcclesOHL@spenergynetworks.co.uk
Post:
Galashiels to Eccles 132kV OHL Replacement Project
Land and Planning Team
SP Energy Networks
55 Fullarton Drive
Glasgow
G32 8FA
Can you tell me more about Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs)?
SP Energy Networks 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 is a document produced by the UK electricity industry.
Further information can be found at www.emfs.info
Why are SP Energy Networks' current development proposals being consulted on separately rather than as a single, project?
All SP Energy Networks proposals currently under development are being progressed independently as they are electrically distinct parts of the network, driven by different needs. As such, they will be consented individually and, therefore, must be consulted upon separately.
For a holistic view, the SP Energy Networks Business Plan – RIIO T3 Business Plan – sets out all the strategic investments that are currently under development. The NESO’s TEC Register provides details of the customer connections for which SPEN will be developing connection projects.