SP Transmission is proposing two new steel lattice towers to tie into the existing steel lattice tower line that runs north-east to Glenluce Substation. This is required to connect the new proposed 132kV Ladyburn Collector Substation to the electricity network.’
SP Transmission Plc is therefore also planning a new 132 kV collector substation to connect the proposed Artfield Forest, Dumfries and Galloway 2 and Craig Nab Wind Farms to the existing steel lattice tower line (the BT Route) near Glenluce. As a licensed electricity operator, SP Transmission Plc is legally required to provide these connections. The proposed substation is provisionally named ‘Ladyburn Collector Substation’.
To help plan the siting of the proposed substation, Gillespies LLP were appointed by SPT to carry out a siting study and assist with consultation. This is a precursor to producing an Environmental Report or an Environmental Statement should the Project be deemed to be EIA development under Schedule 2 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.
We are consulting the public on our proposals between 24th February 2026 and 25th March 2026.
You can view physical consultation materials and share feedback at the following event:
Tuesday 24th February 2026 at Glenluce Public Hall, Main Street, Glenluce, DG8 0PT between 2pm – 7pm
You can also share your views by email at LadyburnTie-in@spenergynetworks.co.uk or write to:
Ladyburn Tie-in Project
Land and Planning Team
SP Energy Networks
55 Fullarton Drive
Glasgow
G32 8FA
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 design.
We are planning to hold a second round of consultation 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.
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.
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:
- Calling Ofgem's Consumer Affairs team on 020 7901 7295
Who gives you permission to construct new substations and overhead lines?
An application for consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to install the short section of new overhead line and the new Ladyburn Substation will be submitted to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit.
Consequently, Scottish Ministers will have the final say on whether it is granted.
Why is this project needed?
Scotland is undergoing a transformation, aiming to reach net zero across all greenhouse gases by 2045, as new renewable generators replace older fossil-fuelled power stations. By connecting new wind farms to the national electricity network, this project will contribute to a cleaner, greener future
What exactly are you proposing?
We are proposing a new 132kV collector substation, indicatively named Ladyburn Substation, connecting into the existing steel lattice tower line (the BT Route) north of Glenluce.
For the new substation to connect to the BT Route, a short section of new overhead line is also needed. This includes two new steel lattice tower structures and the replacement of an existing tower.
How have you chosen the site for the new substation?
The siting of high-voltage electricity infrastructure is a complex process that involves balancing statutory obligations, engineering requirements, economic viability, environmental considerations, and the needs of people who live, work, or enjoy leisure time in the area. An important part of this is consulting landowners, stakeholders, and the public to guide the project’s development.
You can find out more about the routeing and siting process in our ‘Approach to Routeing and Environmental Impact Assessment’ document, available on the project website.
You can find detailed information specific to the siting of the proposed Ladyburn Substation in the ‘Ladyburn Substation Siting and Consultation Document’, which explains how we arrived at the proposed site
What will the 132 kV substation look like and how high will it be?
The new Ladyburn Substation will feature outdoor electrical equipment up to approximately 15 m tall within a secure, fenced compound. The main components will include steel gantries, support structures, circuit breakers, transformers, and overhead wires connecting it to the BT Route. The equipment will have a functional, industrial look, designed to meet safety and operational standards. The site will be situated on a levelled stone surface and will include a permanent access track and a small control building, with tree and shrub planting used where possible to help it blend into the surrounding environment.
What will the new towers look like
The two new towers and the replacement tower will be similar in height and appearance to the existing steel lattice towers along the BT route, which runs northeast from the existing Glenluce Substation.
Are you consulting landowners?
Yes. Owners and occupiers of land that might be affected by the proposed substation and the short section of new overhead line will be contacted. If you believe that your land may be affected and you have not yet heard from us, please get in touch.
How much will the project cost?
We are at an early stage of project development, 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 24th February 2026 | Glenluce Public Hall, Main Street, Glenluce, DG8 0PT | 2PM - 7PM |
We are planning to hold a second round of consultation 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.
If you are not able to attend the public consultation event, there are other ways you can provide feedback:
Postal address for feedback forms:
Ladyburn Tie-in Project
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: LadyburnTie-in@spenergynetworks.co.uk
Can you tell me more about Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs)?
Wherever electricity is used there will also be electric and magnetic fields. This is inherent in the laws of physics – we can modify the fields to some extent, but if we are going to use electricity, then EMFs are inevitable. Like many other things that we encounter in nature, EMFs can be harmful at high-enough levels. But the fields required, for example, to start interfering with the body’s nervous system are much greater than those produced by the UK electricity system. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent investigating this issue around the world. Research still continues to seek greater clarity; however, the balance of scientific evidence to date suggests that EMFs do not cause disease.
For more information, please see ENA EMFs The Facts 2025