Ofgem has approved early construction funding for a series of major electricity transmission projects in Scotland aimed at accelerating grid upgrades needed to support renewable energy deployment and strengthen Britain’s energy security.

The funding covers projects including a new Denny to Wishaw transmission line and upgrades between Tealing and Kincardine, as well as eight additional schemes being developed under the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) programme.

According to Ofgem, the projects are designed to expand transmission capacity across Great Britain, enabling more clean electricity generated in Scotland to reach homes and businesses while helping reduce dependence on volatile international energy markets.

The Denny to Wishaw power line alone is expected to carry enough renewable electricity to supply around one million homes.

Supporting faster delivery of grid infrastructure

The ASTI programme was launched in 2022 to speed up delivery of strategic electricity transmission infrastructure considered essential for meeting the UK Government’s clean power ambitions.

With the latest approvals, Ofgem said early construction funding has now been granted to all 26 projects included in the programme.

The regulator explained that the funding allows transmission operators to secure critical components such as HVDC cables and substation equipment at an early stage, reducing the risk of procurement bottlenecks and supply-chain delays amid growing global competition for grid infrastructure materials.

The financing can also support land acquisition, surveys, design work and initial construction activities before final project approvals are secured.

Subject to planning consent and construction schedules progressing as expected, the projects are intended to begin delivering benefits to consumers by 2030.

Lower costs and stronger energy security

Ofgem said the additional grid capacity is also expected to reduce constraint costs currently added to electricity bills when wind farms are paid to curtail generation because of insufficient transmission capacity.

Beatrice Filkin, Director of Major Projects at Ofgem, said accelerating the projects is essential for improving energy security and limiting exposure to international gas price volatility.

“By unlocking early funding for these projects, we aim to accelerate their delivery. This is crucial for strengthening Britain’s energy security and cutting constraint costs and exposure to volatile international gas prices by providing more grid capacity,” Filkin said.

She added that early funding also helps transmission operators secure scarce materials and avoid delays linked to global supply-chain pressures.

“Early funding helps transmission operators secure scarce components, avoid supply-chain delays, and deliver the grid upgrades needed to power homes and businesses with more clean, homegrown energy,” she said.

Filkin also stressed that the funding approvals do not represent formal planning consent for the projects, which will still be reviewed by the relevant planning authorities.

She added that Ofgem will continue overseeing spending to ensure costs remain justified and beneficial for consumers.