Scotland is producing more clean, green energy that ever before, and we need to strengthen the transmission network so we can get it to the homes, schools and businesses that need it.
Renewable energy is replacing older fossil-fuelled power stations. At the same time, the demand for electricity is growing through increased electrification of heating, industry and transport networks, and electric vehicles are replacing petrol and diesel.
The UK and Scottish Governments are committed to increasing the use of renewable energy and have targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2045 in Scotland and 2050 in the UK.
This huge change means we need to upgrade Scotland’s electricity transmission network, so we can get this increasing amount of energy from where it’s produced to where it’s needed.
To help make this happen we need to increase the voltage of overhead lines in Fife from 275,000 volts (275kV) to 400,000 volts (400kV). We also need to extend Westfield substation, near Ballingry, and Mossmorran substation, near Cowdenbeath, and build a new substation at Conland near Glenrothes to strengthen the electricity transmission network and guarantee secure energy supplies for the future.
Together this will increase the capacity of the electricity transmission network and help to guarantee secure energy supplies for the future.
In 2024 we consulted local people on our initial plans to extend Westfield and Mossmorran substations and to uprate the overhead lines.
We are now consulting local people on our plans for Conland substation and associated overhead line alterations.
This website explains our plans, and how you can give us your views.
Proposal
The Proposal
Much of the electricity transmission network in Scotland is between 50 and 100 years old. It has grown and evolved to meet industrial needs and serve the expanding population, but the network in central Scotland will soon be at full capacity – unable to accommodate all the clean, green renewable energy we will all need in future.
We need to build a new substation at Conland, near Glenrothes, and connect it to the existing overhead line so we can increase its voltage from 275kV to 400kV.
We also need to replace the existing 275kV transformers at Westfield substation – which are now 55 years old – with new 400kV transformers.
Similarly, we also need to replace the existing transformers at Mossmoran substation – which are now 62 and 41 years old – with new 400 kV transformers.
Before we can switch off the old transformers, we need to extend both substation sites so we can install the new 400kV transformers and equipment and connect them to the network.
This is because the old transformers are essential to keep the lights on and the power flowing while we put the new substations in place.
Together, the new and extended substations and increased voltage of overhead lines will create more network capacity, allowing the extra power to get to where it’s needed.
Conland
The new Conland substation needs to sit between the existing Glenrothes substation and the point where two existing high-voltage overhead lines meet (the YS and YT routes). We identified four possible site options and appraised them on criteria including: the landscape, proximity to residents, land use, forestry, biodiversity, peatland, flood risk, archaeology and technical difficulty.
The preferred site for the proposed new substation is on land north of Pitkevy Farm, Leslie. This site is further away from homes and next to the existing overhead lines, minimising the need for new overhead lines to connect it to the network. It also allows us to maintain supplies to the Glenrothes 275kv/33kV Grid Supply Point (GSP) at the same time.
The need for the Tealing to Kincardine Upgrade Project was identified by the National Energy System Operator in its Network Options Assessment (NOA), published January 2022. This project will increase the voltage of existing overhead lines through Fife and along the east coast of Scotland from 275kV to 400kV, allowing more energy to flow through the network.
The need for a new 275kV/400kV substation near the junction of the existing overhead lines north of Glenrothes was identified as part of this process. The new Conland substation will have a key role in enabling Scotland and the UK to meet Net Zero emissions targets while ensuring that power flows efficiently through the system in central Scotland.
The proposed new Conland substation will include:
- An area for the substation platform (on which the equipment will sit);
- A single-storey control building, housing electrical switchgear, plant and ancillary equipment;
- Two 400/275kV transformers;
- Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) to connect each circuit;
- Access track from public road suitable for construction vehicles;
- Temporary road widening in places along Hill Road to allow two-way construction traffic;
- Internal access routes and vehicle parking;
- Drainage and mitigation (for example, landscaping, drainage pond); and
- A new 3m steel palisade fence around the live compound, and a post-and-wire fence around the perimeter for safety and security.
Westfield
Westfield
Our updated plans for Westfield substation
We propose to extend Westfield substation to the west of the existing compound, immediately south of the B9097 near Ballingry. There is an existing access from the B9097 into the existing substation.
The project will include:
- A new 400kV SF6-free Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation building, which will house electrical switchgear, plant and ancillary equipment
- Five 400/132kV transformers and one 400/275kV transformer
- SF6-free GIS double busbar to connect the switchgear to each circuit
- Internal access roads and vehicle parking
- Drainage and mitigation (for example, landscaping)
- A new steel palisade fence and internal fencing around the live compound to ensure safety and security.
Since the previous consultation in July 2024, we have refined our plans to include six transformers rather than the four originally proposed, as shown on the plans below
Mossmorran
Mossmorran
Our updated plans for Mossmorran substation
The proposed Mossmorran substation extension is to the north west of the existing substation, near the existing Mossmorran Natural Gas Liquids Plant, the Fife Ethylene Plant and the Little Raith Wind Farm. Access is from the A909 using an existing road through the plants.
The project includes:
- A new 400kV SF6-free Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation building, which will house electrical switchgear, plant and ancillary equipment
- Four 400/132kV transformers
- SF6-free GIS double busbar to connect the switchgear to each circuit
- Space for three additional transformers to be installed in future
- Internal access roads and vehicle parking
- Drainage and mitigation (for example, landscaping)
- A new steel palisade fence and internal fencing around the live compound to ensure safety and security
Since the previous consultation in July 2024, we have refined our plans to show the potential locations of the three additional transformers that may be needed in future, rather than the two originally indicated, as shown on the plans below:
OHL Changes
Overhead line changes
We need to increase the voltage of overhead lines between Tealing (near Dundee) and Kincardine in Fife (see map below) from 275,000 volts (275kV) to 400,000 volts (400kV).
This will involve changing the insulators and conductors (wires) on the existing towers (pylons). To facilitate these works we will need to install temporary access routes (trackway or stone roads) and potential foundation upgrades at specific towers. We are carrying out further surveys to establish where this work will be required.
At Conland, we will need to make minor alterations to the existing YT 275kV overhead line to connect it to the new substation.
At the moment, the YT overhead line crosses the site for the proposed new substation. We plan to put up a temporary mast so we can divert the overhead line away from the site, removing the existing YT001 tower (pylon) and allowing us to build the new substation.
We will then need to put up one new tower to connect the new substation to the network before removing the temporary mast and line diversion.
We will also need to make minor alterations to the existing YS overhead line, which runs parallel to the site, so we can connect it to the new substation. We plan to put up two temporary masts so we can divert the overhead line and build a new terminal tower between existing towers YS029 and YS030. This new tower will be connected to the new substation so we can increase the voltage of YS route from 275kV to 400kV before we remove the temporary masts and line diversion.
We will also need access to towers along the existing YS overhead line between Westfield substation and the north of our network area, near Falkland, to replace the conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment so we can increase the voltage from 275kV to 400kV. We will be talking to landowners about access arrangements, but you can find a route map showing our initial proposals on our project website.
We will also need to make minor alterations to the existing overhead lines at Mossmorran and Westfield to connect them to the new substations.
At the moment, existing overhead lines cross the sites for both of the proposed new substations.
At Mossmorran, we plan to put up two temporary masts so we can divert the overhead lines away from the site, removing three existing towers (pylons) and allowing us to build the new substation.
We will then need to put up one new tower to connect the new substation to the network before removing the temporary masts and line diversion.
At Westfield, we plan to put up one temporary mast so we can divert the overhead lines away from the site, removing six existing towers (pylons) and allowing us to build the new substation.
We will then need to put up two new towers to connect the new substation to the network before removing the temporary mast and line diversion. The underground cables required near the northern boundary will also now be within the substation site and not on the other side of the road as originally proposed. The underground cables will connect the existing 132kV network to the existing 132kV substation.
A new tower and span of overhead line is also proposed at Longannet substation (between the existing YJ and ZCN overhead line routes).
Our first round of consultation on Westfield and Mossmorran also included a proposal to connect two existing overhead lines to each other north of Kincardine. However, further technical studies have concluded this is not required and it is no longer part of the project.
Proposed 400k uprating
Documents
Project documents
For our first round of consultation on Conland substation, we have produced the following supporting documents:
For our second round of consultation on Westfield and Mossmorran substation extensions, we produced the following supporting documents:
For our first round of consultation, we have produced a number of supporting documents.
FAQs
FAQs
Who are SP Energy Networks?
SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower Group. We are responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity in central and southern Scotland, and, through SP Manweb, the distribution network in North Wales and part of North West England. 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), and independent national regulatory body. Further information about Ofgem is available on:
Why is the Tealing to Kincardine Upgrade Project needed?
Much of the electricity transmission network in Scotland is between 50 and 100 years old. It has grown and evolved to meet industrial needs and serve the expanding population, but the network in central Scotland will soon be at full capacity – unable to accommodate all the clean, green renewable energy we will all need in future.
The purpose of the project is to increase the voltage of overhead lines from 275kv to 400kV between Tealing, near Dundee (in the Scottish and Southern Energy Networks area) and Kincardine (in the SP Energy Networks area), to allow more clean, green energy to flow through the network.
To make this happen, SP Energy Networks needs to build a new substation at Conland, near Glenrothes, and extend the substations at Mossmorran, near Cowdenbeath, and Westfield, near Ballingry.
The need for the Tealing to Kincardine Upgrade Project was identified by the National Energy System Operator in its Network Options Assessment (NOA), published January 2022. This project will increase the voltage of existing overhead lines through Fife and along the east coast of Scotland from 275kV to 400kV, allowing more energy to flow through the network.
The need for a new 275kV/400kV substation near the junction of the existing overhead lines north of Glenrothes was identified as part of this process. The new Conland substation will have a key role in enabling Scotland and the UK to meet Net Zero emissions targets while ensuring that power flows efficiently through the system in central Scotland.
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.
Who will pay for this project?
Ultimately, the cost of our investment in the electricity system is partly borne by consumers through electricity bills, so we are obliged to be economic and efficient. We recover our costs through transmission charges levied by National Grid.
The amount we invest in our networks and the amount we are able to recover is agreed with Ofgem, which is committed to working with industry, governments and consumer groups to deliver a net zero economy at the lowest cost to consumers. You can find out more about Ofgem here.
How are you consulting local people?
We are planning two rounds of public consultation before we submit our planning applications to Fife Council.
Our first round of public consultation on Conland substation runs from Monday 28 April until Friday 23 May 2025.
We are holding two public exhibitions where people can find out more about our plans and ask questions of the project team:
Monday 28 April, 2pm to 7pm: Newton of Falkland Village Hall, Main Street, Newton of Falkland, Cupar, KY15 7QX
Tuesday 29 April, 2pm to 7pm: Balgeddie House Hotel, Balgeddie Way, Glenrothes, KY6 3QA
You can find more details and an online feedback form via the ‘Your Say’ tab.
Our first round of consultation on Westfield and Mossmorran substations ran until 20 August 2024, and the second round ran until Friday 20 December 2024.
You can find more details and an online feedback form via the 'Have Your Say' tab.
Have Your Say
Have your say?
Our first round of public consultation on Conland substation runs until Friday 23 May 2025.
SPEN attaches great importance to the effect our work may have on the environment and local communities. We want to hear what local people think about our plans, to help us develop the project in the best way.
Please come along to our public exhibitions, where you can see our plans in more detail and ask questions of the project team.
| Date | Venue | Time |
| Monday 28 April | Newton of Falkland Village Hall, Main Street, Newton of Falkland, Cupar, KY15 7QX | 2pm – 7pm |
| Tuesday 29 April | Balgeddie House Hotel, Balgeddie Way, Glenrothes, KY6 3QA | 2pm – 7pm |
If you have any feedback on our proposals, please complete the feedback form below.
What Next?
What Happens Next?
Following the second round of consultation we will develop detailed designs for the substations, including locations for buildings, access routes and working areas.
We will publish a report summarising the feedback received and how this has influenced our proposals.
We will carry out a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment, and submit planning applications under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) to Fife Council.
We will also need to submit applications to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, for the proposed changes to the overhead lines and uprating in voltage. There will be a further opportunity to comment on our overhead line proposals in early 2025.
At this stage, your comments are not representations to the planning authorities. When we submit out applications for development consent in the future, you will be able to make formal representations at that stage.