A major £56 million infrastructure programme is set to strengthen the reliability, resilience and capacity across Cumbria’s electricity network.
Engineers from SP Electricity North West are well under way with a major engineering project which will see a 47-kilometre stretch of overhead power lines along the West Coast of Cumbria replaced.
Phase one of the project will see 152 pylons along with other electrical assets replaced. The project will support the region’s economic growth and demand for power to homes, businesses and transport as the reliance on electricity increases.
All of the work from Roosecote to Sellafield is being carried out on SP Electricity North West’s 132,000-volt transmission network which feeds into the wider Cumbria power network known as the ‘Cumbria Ring.’ Further investment in the rest of the Cumbria ring is planned for future years.
“This £56m investment is a major step forward for Cumbria’s energy future,” said Vincent Cranny, SP Electricity North West’s head of capital delivery.
“In what is a significant engineering project involving hundreds of people, our investment will strengthen the backbone of the county’s power network as the demand for electricity increases.
“Once the whole of the Cumbria Ring is upgraded, capacity in the local network will almost double enabling a clean affordable energy future. Homes and businesses will be able to adopt low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps at scale while allowing for future economic development for the region too.”
A lot of the work taking place is in remote areas meaning impact and disruption will be kept to a minimum.
SP Electricity North West is in regular contact with the relevant authorities while local ecology experts have also been consulted with some areas protected.
John Barradell OBE, interim chief executive of the Cumbria Combined Authority, said: “This investment is really good news for Cumbria. Upgrading our local power network at this scale means our communities and businesses will have the energy capacity they need for the future.
“We welcome the commitment by SP Electricity North West to our county. Their £56m investment will help Cumbria grow in a cleaner, greener way and make sure we’re ready for the shift to low‑carbon technologies. It’s a big step forward for Cumbria’s long‑term prosperity and resilience.”
Vincent Cranny added: “This project has taken years of planning and we’re delighted it is under way and making good progress,”
“From electric vehicles to low-carbon heating and solar panels, increasing industrial demand and generation, this investment will give Cumbria the energy network it needs to continue to thrive.”
Teams expect to complete this first section of upgrades in 2027 and SP Electricity North West will continue to provide regular updates as work progresses.
A short explainer video has been created which you see here. For further information, please visit www.enwl.co.uk/cumbria.
