The Cumbria Ring project
We're delivering the largest ever investment in the North West’s power network, investing over £2bn between 2023 and 2028 – including a £40m programme in Cumbria.
The Cumbria Ring project is our biggest ever investment in Cumbria and will release network capacity to facilitate our stakeholders’ major planned developments and decarbonisation plans across Cumbria.
We provide supplies in the Cumbria area from our 132,000-volt network operating as a ‘ring’. Substations at Harker and Hutton feed the Cumbria Ring around the county with further, lower voltage network and substations reaching into the centre of the county that supply Cumbria’s homes and businesses. The Cumbria area has great potential for the connection of additional generation which requires us to upgrade these circuits to prepare for the future.
It will see us replace 154 kilometres of 132,000-volt overhead line on the Cumbria Ring. This upgrade will allow access to the capacity created at a brand new 132,000-volt substation at Harker and create 230 megawatts of additional capacity for the uptake of low carbon technologies.
The work will reinforce the network at various points across the region and upgrade the substation at Harker. This will increase capacity on the network, enabling more renewable energy generation and increase take up of electric vehicles and heating.
The Cumbria Ring project phase one includes:
- Harker project - Construction of a new 400,000-volt / 132,000-volt substation to replace existing infrastructure.
- Overall investment from SP Electricity North West - £60m for main and enabling works
- Expected completion - 2029
- Roosecote to Sellafield route refurbishment project - Part of a wider 132,000-volt network connecting Roosecote and Sellafield substations
- Distance - 47 kilometres
- 152 Towers (pylons)
- Overall investment from SP Electricity North West - £60m for main and enabling works
- Expected completion - 2027
As the North West’s electricity distributor, we need to provide the network capacity required to facilitate the decarbonisation needs and other plans of our stakeholders and customers. As part of our distribution system operation (DSO) load-related investment, we need to optimise this process in terms of reducing costs, mitigating risks and maximising benefits to our stakeholders and customers.
Harker substation project
We are investing £60m to deliver a 132,000-volt substation at Harker as part of the wider Cumbria Ring project.
Delivering benefits through energy infrastructure investment
Sustainability & Environmental Benefits
✓ Enables Renewable Integration: Infrastructure upgrades critical to enabling renewable energy connection, aligning
with net-zero ambitions.
✓ Reduces Emissions: Replacement of aging switchgear at Harker contributes to lowering SF₆ greenhouse gas emissions.
✓ Supports Local Sustainability Goals: Project aligns with regional carbon reduction targets and promotes biodiversity
enhancements.
Community & Social Impact
✓ Supports Regional Growth: Increased load capacity enables future housing, commercial, and infrastructure
development.
✓ Boosts Local Economy: Engagement of local suppliers, such as sourcing stone from nearby quarries, promotes
regional business.
✓ Improves Rural Access: Upgrades to access roads — including stoning, widening, and new gates — benefit local
landowners and farmers.
✓ Strengthens Business Resilience: Reliable power supply ensures continuity for local enterprises, especially those
dependent on consistent energy.
✓ Promotes Community Engagement: Potential for educational outreach with schools and community groups to raise
awareness of energy infrastructure.
