WORLD EARTH DAY – WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL
SP Energy Networks has joined forces with conservation charity Buglife to transform Scotland’s Central Belt into a thriving, connected network of wildflower-rich habitats and nesting sites, providing a vital lifeline for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.
Through the Pollinator B-Lines project, SP Energy Networks and Buglife will repurpose unused land at several electrical substations including Busby, Leven, Livingston East and Drumcross, turning them from barren grass patches into wildlife havens.
Using a mix of wildflower seed sowing, plug planting and the installation of bee posts for nesting, the sites will be transformed into nectar-rich grasslands and sheltered breeding areas. Together, these spaces will act as “stepping-stone” habitats, helping insects move across the landscape and creating connected green corridors for species to move, feed and thrive.
SP Energy Networks,Buglife and Tom Angel Studio – an environmental subcontractor completing landscaping works as part of the project – were buzzing with excitement as they installed bee posts in Busby, providing essential nesting habitats to protect and nurture solitary bees and wasps, which are among the world’s most important insects.
As part of the wider habitat works at the site, 150 metres of mixed native hedgerow have been planted, alongside plans to sow wildflowers into the existing grassland to encourage more insects into the area. The bespoke bee posts were designed by Tom Angel of Tom Angel Studio and made by a local Glasgow carpenter from untreated Scottish Larch.
Kelly Murray, Conservation Officer – Pollinators B-Lines at Buglife Scotland said: “Many of Scotland’s bees, butterflies and hoverflies are struggling in today’s modern landscapes. Creating safe, connected spaces for them to feed and nest is essential.
“By working with SP Energy Networks, we’re transforming unused land into a network of wildflower-rich habitats that reconnects the Central Belt. It’s a simple idea, but one that can make a meaningful difference, support wildlife recovery and help nature thrive again.”
To ensure the project delivers benefits well beyond the initial planting, the partners are developing long-term management plans for each site. These plans will support the successful establishment of the habitats and ensure they continue to benefit wildlife and local communities for years to come.
Tayler Henderson, Sustainability Specialist at SP Energy Networks said: “Partnering with Buglife has allowed us to breathe new life into the land around our substations, creating new wildflower habitats across the Central Belt.
“By investing in habitat creation and a long-term commitment to managing these sites, we’re helping to build a more resilient environment for wildlife across the region while we build the network needed for a cleaner and greener future.
“At SP Energy Networks, we’re committed to minimising our impact on nature and improving our understanding of how our network interacts with the surrounding environment to deliver ‘nature-positive’ outcomes. Our partnership with Buglife is a brilliant example of that in action – in fact, you could say it’s the bees’ knees!”
Around 240 of the UK’s 270 bee species are solitary, living independently rather than in colonies and producing no honey. These insects nest individually, often in dead plant stems, small holes in wood or the ground, and play a vital role in pollination. By installing specially designed bee posts and creating nectar-rich habitats, the project provides the food and shelter these essential pollinators need to thrive.
The initiative forms part of Buglife’s wider B-Lines programme, a UK-wide network of insect pathways linking towns and countryside through wildflower corridors. By reconnecting habitats, the programme aims to restore at least 150,000 hectares of flower-rich land across the UK, helping wildlife access food and shelter while being able to move more freely.
The project is part of SP Energy Networks’ Action Plan for Nature, a commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss through targeted habitat creation and restoration.
By delivering projects like Pollinator B-Lines, SP Energy Networks ensures that investment in its network not only keeps homes and businesses powered but also protects Scotland’s natural environment and benefits local communities.