ScottishPower is investing a record £10bn in Scotland as it embarks on a major electricity grid rewiring.
It comes as the energy firm’s parent company, Iberdrola, has outlined a €58bn strategic plan, and named the UK as its number one destination for investment.
The company has confirmed its economic boost will add 300 more new recruits in the final three months of 2025, and create another 2,000 jobs through 2027 – 80% in Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney joined Keith Anderson, ScottishPower CEO, to open its new Edinburgh office for its SP Energy Networks business. It will be home to its electricity transmission teams including those building major subsea links off the east & west coasts of Scotland.
Swinney also joined Anderson and SP Energy Networks CEO Nicola Connelly to meet with apprentices and new recruits, including new-starts who have joined from Ineos after being made redundant when the refinery closed earlier this year.
They’ll be working on the underwater electrical superhighways the company’s SP Energy Networks business is constructing, including Eastern Green Link 1 and 4, as well as its onshore electricity network project builds and upgrades across central and southern Scotland.
Rt Hon John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland, said:
“ScottishPower’s investment in Scotland will drive economic growth and support thousands of high-quality, sustainable jobs – many of them based at their fantastic new Edinburgh Park base.
“As the Global Investment Summit gets underway in Edinburgh, ScottishPower are setting a shining example of how the transition to green energy can create real financial opportunity – helping benefit businesses and Scotland’s economy.”
Keith Anderson, ScottishPower CEO, said:
“Engineering was practically born in Scotland, is a major Scottish success story and we’re proud to be at the helm building the next tranche of critical infrastructure to power economic growth.
“The grid is the energy backbone and with demand rapidly increasing we need to reinforce and build more of it. Our investment commitments are about more than just infrastructure, we’re creating high-quality, long-term jobs both in our company and right across the supply chain.
“Alongside our Glasgow HQ, and depots up and down the country, our new Edinburgh office gives us an additional base as we recruit faster than we’ve ever done before to support our ambitious growth plans.”
Nicola Connelly, SP Energy Networks CEO, said:
“This is a pivotal moment for the grid as we embark on the biggest build out in almost a century. From subsea cables to overhead lines and underground wires, we are upgrading and investing in Scottish infrastructure to support growth.
“That also means growth in our people and supply chain which is great news for the economic future of our country.”
Image courtesy of ScottishPower
