2 Jun 2026
Local communities in the Scottish Borders have raised concerns about misleading information published by Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) ahead of crucial public events on 9 and 10 June.
SPEN is holding two public drop in events regarding the construction of a Gala North substation near Lauder and the ‘diversion’ of the Cockenzie-Eccles ZA overhead line. But the substation would be crucial to four further planned pylon lines, running from Livingston to Lauder and on to Newcastleton, and from Dalkeith to Galashiels. Six pylon lines would converge at Gala North substation.
SPEN has confirmed that construction would last for two to three years.
Rory Steel, Chair of Lauderdale Preservation Group, said: “SPEN is only holding consultations now on a small part of the work planned, saying that public consultations on the other aspects will be held in due course. This is fundamentally misleading.
“The map published by SPEN shows two sections of power line but there would be six sections in all.
“I have written to SPEN asking them to withdraw the documents which are still online and to urgently replace them with accurate, genuine representations of the substation and pylon lines, before the first public event on 9 June. It cannot be called a public consultation if the full picture is concealed.”
In addition, the substation would be a connection point for wind, solar and battery energy storage sites up to ten miles away, facilitating further industrialisation of the countryside. These could include: Glenburnie, Ditcher Law, Longmuir, Greystone Knowe, Torfichen, Scawd Law, Woodhead solar farm and the re-powering of Dun Law wind farm.
The substation is proposed for a site adjacent to Threepwood Moss, one of the most important raised bog habitats in South East Scotland. The Moss is both a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a UK Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
NatureScot awarded designation to Threepwood Moss for its rare plant and moss species, including marsh orchid and sphagnum mosses, as well as butterflies and moths.
The area also has an important population of lapwing, a ground-nesting bird which is red-listed by conservationists in the UK, as a species ‘of most conservation concern’.
The SPEN consultation document is available here: https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/gala_north_have_your_say.aspx