Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been awarded a contract to construct three new substations in Argyll, Scotland, on behalf of SSEN Transmission. The contract has been awarded through the GIS2 RIIO T2 framework, to which the company was appointed in 2022.
The contract will see Balfour Beatty unite its Power Transmission & Distribution expertise with its regional capabilities in Scotland, to design and build the three new 275kV substations in Craig Murrail, An Suidhe, and Crarae.
The new substations form part of SSEN Transmission’s Argyll and Kintyre reinforcement strategy and on completion, will enhance and strengthen the electrical transmission infrastructure in Argyll to support the expected rise in renewable energy production in the region.
Balfour Beatty’s selection builds on its proven expertise in the successful delivery of energy projects in Scotland demonstrated by the recent completion of the Peterhead Substation and the company’s appointment to deliver nine schemes through SSEN Transmission’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment framework.
In addition, as part of its commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty will employ a minimum of 50% of its workforce from the local, surrounding area.
Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty UK Power Transmission & Distribution said: “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in SSEN’s Argyll and Kintyre reinforcement works – a project that is crucial for enhancing substation infrastructure in the region.
“Our expertise in substation delivery, coupled with our local experience, make us the perfect fit to tackle the challenges ahead, deliver the project to the highest of standards and secure the supply of renewable energy to homes and businesses in the region.”
Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “We are pleased to be working alongside SSEN Transmission to contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy journey.
“Our commitment to collaboration, the environment and positive social impact will ensure that we not only make a meaningful impact on the region’s energy landscape, but also leave behind a lasting legacy for the communities in Argyll.”
Main construction is due to start late Summer 2024. At construction peak, Balfour Beatty will employ approximately 200 people including a number of apprentice, graduate and trainee positions.
Balfour Beatty has compelling end-to-end capabilities in the UK energy market.
Notes to editors:
- Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group with over 26,000 employees driving the delivery of powerful new solutions, shaping thinking, creating skylines and inspiring a new generation of talent to be the change-makers of tomorrow.
- We finance, develop, build, maintain and operate the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies and deliver projects at the heart of local communities.
- Over the last 114 years we have created iconic buildings and infrastructure all over the world. Currently, we are working to deliver Hinkley Point C, the first UK nuclear power station in a generation; constructing the world-class arts and cultural facility, the Lyric Theatre, in Hong Kong; and designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the Automated People Mover superstructure at the fifth busiest airport in the world, Los Angeles International Airport.
- Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks. From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support clients in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.
- From Dunfermline’s tramways in 1909 to highland hospitals today, Balfour Beatty has been trusted for over a century to deliver the complex and critical infrastructure and iconic buildings Scotland relies on.
- We have the people, knowledge and experience to safely deliver projects right first time, maximising value for money and ensuring a positive social impact and inclusive economic growth for local communities.
- Our award-winning sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus and retrofit, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Scotland’s transition towards net zero in the built environment.
