As part of their Green Recovery Funded investment projects SP have installed a state-of-the-art substation at the First Bus Caledonia Depot on Cathcart Road, which will support 300 electric buses to carry passengers around the city.
Building on Glasgow's COP26 legacy, we have also invested in the area around the SEC (where the 2021 climate conference was hosted) to help futureproof the network for homes and businesses on both sides of the River Clyde.
The surrounding area has seen significant development in recent years and is part of the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID), which aims to create jobs and infrastructure in the area. The new substation will strengthen the existing network to allow for new developments and support the use of greener energy solutions in the area.
Following on from this project, SP are currently investing more than £3billion in the communities they serve to meet net zero targets. The two substations were fully energised in time for the start of the RIIO-ED2 price control period. RIIO-ED2 is an investment programme running from 2023 – 2028 by regulator Ofgem, which funds energy networks to deliver green energy solutions.
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Craig Arthur, SP Energy Networks' Distribution Licence Director said: "This investment has clear benefits not only for Glaswegians but for people across the country.
"People can now travel to events at the SEC and around the city using electric buses, thanks to greener energy – this investment is making a real difference to everyday life in Glasgow and transforming the city's green infrastructure. SP Energy Networks is proud to be leading the way to a greener future.
"Our investment forms part of Ofgem's £300 million Green Recovery Investment Project, which funds schemes supporting the transition to net zero. This is part of its commitment to leading the way towards a cleaner, greener future for all."
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director at First Bus Scotland, said: "We are delighted to have continued our collaborative work with SP Energy Networks in a way that will benefit the local community. The electricity created by this new substation will not only help to power our bus network but will also be used to power homes and businesses across the south side of Glasgow.
"The electricity from the new substation at our Caledonia depot will allow us to charge 300 zero emission buses at any one time, ensuring we can keep pushing forward in our 2035 Zero Emission Mission and continue to build upon our ever-increasing fleet of zero emission buses that is serving the people and communities of Glasgow."
Billy McFadyen, Director of Finance & Development at the SEC said: "It's been a great project to work on with SP Energy Networks and to see the new facility fully energised. The SEC has developed an ambitious net zero energy strategy to meet our 2030 net zero targets, and this new facility will play a significant part in the strategy by providing resilient grid connections and increased capacity as part of our ambitions."
The project supports our work to provide clean, green energy for the UK – supporting jobs, the supply chain and the wider economy. It will ensure no community is left behind in the transition to low carbon technology and net zero emissions.
