SP Energy Networks Launches £12bn, Five-Year Programme To Modernise Scotland’s Electricity Grid

SP Energy Networks has officially launched its major five-year programme to modernise and strengthen the electricity grid across central and southern Scotland. This £12 billion rewiring initiative marks one of the largest upgrades to the region’s power infrastructure in decades. The plan will not only improve the reliability and capacity of the grid but also support the UK’s transition toward a cleaner and more electric energy future. The programme is set to create 1,400 direct jobs and support more than 11,000 additional roles across the wider supply chain.

As part of the investment, twelve new major substations will be constructed, and more than 570 kilometres of overhead lines will be upgraded or replaced. These improvements will help the grid handle growing electricity demand, reduce constraint costs, enhance Britain’s energy security, and ensure that homes and businesses can rely on a resilient, modern power network.

Nicola Connelly, CEO of SP Energy Networks, emphasized the importance of this work, stating that the next five years will play a crucial role in achieving Britain’s clean power ambitions. She noted that the electricity network is the backbone of the country’s energy system, responsible for carrying power from generation sites to millions of customers. Connelly explained that between now and 2031, the company will deliver the largest overhaul of the electricity grid since its creation, involving tens of thousands of people who will help update and transform ageing infrastructure.

The benefits of this programme extend beyond Scotland, with companies across the UK and Ireland contributing to the work. Kirby Group Engineering, based in Limerick, has been a trusted partner of SP Energy Networks for thirteen years. The company has now secured a place on SP Energy Networks’ strategic framework, joining eighteen other suppliers that will share up to £5.4 billion in contracts over the next decade.

To support its expanding workload, Kirby Group Engineering has opened two new offices in Scotland and relocated to a larger office in Glasgow to accommodate its growing team. The company now employs 180 people and has already created 70 additional jobs, with more expected as the investment programme continues to scale. The firm’s apprenticeship programme is also expanding. Three new apprentices will join its Scottish team in 2026, and in 2025 alone, the company recorded 10,000 apprentice hours dedicated to SP Energy Networks projects, almost triple the hours logged in 2023. This number is expected to rise again in 2026 as training and development efforts continue to grow.

Michael Murray, Power and Renewables Director at Kirby Group Engineering, said that the company’s strategic partnership with SP Energy Networks is enabling it to expand its operations, create new employment opportunities, and strengthen its training programmes. He noted that the extensive grid upgrade is already generating skilled, high-quality jobs and will leave a lasting positive impact on communities across Scotland. The strong collaboration between SP Energy Networks and Kirby Group Engineering has not gone unnoticed. Last year, Iberdrola, the parent company of ScottishPower, recognised Kirby Group Engineering’s outstanding contribution by awarding it the title of Global Supplier of the Year.