Work has begun on a £56 million scheme to replace 47km of overhead power lines in West Cumbria.
The project will see 152 pylons replace between Roosecote and Sellafield, plus other electrical assets replaced.
SP Electricity North West said the work would 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.
Vincent Cranny, SP Electricity North West’s head of capital delivery, said: “This £56m investment is a major step forward for Cumbria’s energy future.
“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, and the firm said it meant impact and disruption would be kept to a minimum.
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.”
Mr Cranny added: “This project has taken years of planning and we’re delighted it is under way and making good progress.”
Teams expect to complete this first section of upgrades in 2027.
