Residents of South Lanarkshire are invited to have their say on the proposed routing of a new overhead power line, designed to connect the planned Oliver Forest Windfarm to the local electricity network.

SP Energy Networks is currently consulting on the suggested 27-kilometre preferred route.

The overhead line will link the windfarm, located in the Scottish Borders, to the proposed Redshaw substation, situated 11 kilometres south of Biggar in South Lanarkshire. This developer-funded connection is crucial for integrating more green power into the network, addressing the increasing demand for electricity driven by low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.

To facilitate public engagement, two community drop-in events have been scheduled:

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• Monday, 16th June 2025 | 15:00 – 19:00 at The Old School House, 70 Carlisle Road, Abington, Biggar, ML12 6SD.

• Tuesday, 17th June 2025 | 15:00 – 19:00 at Crawfordjohn Village Hall (Main Hall), Manse Road, Crawfordjohn, Biggar, ML12 6SR.

Those unable to attend the events can find comprehensive project details and submit feedback online via the SP Energy Networks website. The consultation period runs from 9th June 2025 to 25th July 2025. Feedback can also be submitted by post or email.

Margaret McGleish, Environmental Planner at SP Energy Networks, highlighted the importance of local input: "We're delivering the biggest upgrade the grid has ever seen – ensuring our electricity network supports a cleaner and greener future for all – and working with the communities we serve to deliver the best possible outcomes is at the heart of this. The project is currently in its early stages, and we would like to hear your views on the preferred route... There is real value and benefit in local people taking part in consultations like this, so we hope that people take the time to look at the proposals and feedback or if they can, drop-in to one of our consultation events."

All feedback received during this initial consultation will be considered alongside environmental survey findings to determine the final proposed alignment for the overhead line, which will then form part of a consent application to be submitted to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit.