New Cumnock, Coylton and Ayr are among the Ayrshire areas set to benefit from a multi-million pound energy investment.

SP Energy Networks is spending around £24 million in its electricity transmission network across the area.

The multi-million-pound investment will connect more wind farms across the region, enable EV charging infrastructure, and increase resilience in the network for customers. 

£6 million has been invested to upgrade the Coylton substation in East Ayrshire, a key hub in Scotland’s electricity transmission network.

The project at the substation involved the replacement of two transformers which will enable energy from wind farms throughout Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway to be transported to homes and businesses across central and southern Scotland more efficiently. 

Cumnock Chronicle:

SP Energy Networks has also recently begun work on the installation of an underground cable connection between Enoch Hill wind farm and the New Cumnock substation.

When activated, this wind farm, located near New Cumnock, is poised to generate up to 80 MW of energy, enough to power nearly 100,000 households. 

A major refurbishment of the 9.3km XZ overhead line route, connecting the Chipperlaigan compound and Ayr substation, originally built in 1966, is also under way.

This £9.5m project, set to be completed by the end of 2024, will also help increase network capacity, ready for a 'net zero' future. 

The company says the "significant investment" in Ayrshire’s energy network aims to help accelerate the UK’s path to net zero, ensuring the region’s energy network meets modern demands and paves the way for a sustainable future. 

Pearse Murray, SP transmission director at SP Energy Networks, said: "An exciting transformation is under way in Ayrshire's electricity transmission network, fuelled by an investment nearing £24 million.

"These upgrades are part of our wider commitment to invest in the transformation of the UK’s electricity grid, firmly positioning it on the path to a cleaner, sustainable energy future. 

“By bolstering both the capacity and reliability of the transmission network, we are actively breaking down barriers to the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources.

"This means smoother operations, fewer interruptions and improved access to efficient energy solutions for homes, businesses and communities alike."