SP Energy Networks (SPEN) has announced the successful completion of the first stage of a major £30m investment project to upgrade Glasgow's electricity network supporting the drive to net zero.

SPEN engineers have finished the first phase of the St Andrew's Cross investment project which will significantly increase capacity south of the River Clyde, readying the network for the increased uptake of green technology such as electric vehicles and heat pumps over the coming years.

The project began in October 2020 and will see more than 55 miles of cabling and four substations across Glasgow Southside upgraded by the end of next year.

This investment is a key milestone for Glasgow which has the target of delivering net zero emissions by 2030 and last year welcomed world leaders to the COP26 climate change conference, where key decisions in the global fight against the climate crisis were taken.

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Guy Jefferson, Chief Operating Officer at SP Energy Networks said: "We know it's vital to invest in Glasgow's ageing power network, which was mainly developed in the 1950's and 1960's. We are replacing it with modern infrastructure that's capable of handling the increased electricity demand of the city as it focusses initially on the decarbonization of transport and heat.

"As part of this project, we've completed the modernisation of our substation at St Andrew's Cross by replacing two of the main transformers that had reached the end of their natural serviceable life.

"We'll now begin the replacement works of associated switchgear and 33kV cables, with completion due for May 2023, as these electrical assets also reach the end of their working life.

"I'm proud that SP Energy Networks is investing ahead of need so that the ambition of cities like Glasgow can be realised by 2030, ultimately benefitting the 80,000 people that love and work in Scotland's largest city."

The substation is located within the south section of the grade B listed former St Andrew's Cross power station building at Eglington Toll in Glasgow.