Balfour Beatty Secures First Phase of SSEN Transmission’s Netherton Hub
Balfour Beatty has officially been awarded the initial package of works for the Netherton Hub project by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN Transmission). The project forms part of the multi-billion-pound Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) Offshore Framework, one of the most significant energy infrastructure investment programmes currently underway in the UK.
This award represents another major milestone in the country’s journey toward building a resilient, low-carbon power network capable of supporting the rapid growth of renewable energy. Balfour Beatty, a long-term partner of SSEN Transmission and one of the UK’s leading infrastructure contractors, was appointed to the ASTI Offshore Framework in 2024. Its role at Netherton will be central in enabling Scotland and the wider UK to meet ambitious renewable energy and climate goals.
Scope of the Netherton Hub Project
As the common interface contractor, Balfour Beatty will oversee a broad package of civil engineering and building works necessary for the Spittal to Peterhead High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter Station. This converter station will be a cornerstone of the wider Netherton Hub development, located near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The project received planning approval from Aberdeenshire Council only a month ago, highlighting the speed and urgency with which Scotland is moving to expand its transmission infrastructure.
The Netherton Hub is a vital piece of energy infrastructure that will facilitate the transfer of electricity generated from renewable resources—particularly wind and other offshore sources—from the north of Scotland to high-demand areas across the UK. By converting alternating current (AC) electricity to direct current (DC), the HVDC converter station will enable efficient, long-distance transmission with minimal energy losses.
In addition to the HVDC station, Balfour Beatty will also construct a 400 kV substation that will integrate offshore and onshore generation into the transmission system. Alongside this, a 132 kV substation will be delivered to provide connectivity for future energy generation and storage projects led by third-party developers. This dual substation strategy underscores SSEN Transmission’s forward-looking approach, ensuring the network is not only fit for current demand but also adaptable to future innovations and energy sources.
Strategic Importance to the UK’s Energy Transition
The Netherton Hub is part of SSEN Transmission’s “Pathway to 2030” programme, a transformational £20 billion investment plan to upgrade and expand the north of Scotland’s transmission network. This programme is essential to the UK and Scottish Governments’ legally binding targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and 2045, respectively.
Scotland, with its abundant offshore wind resources, is uniquely positioned to be a renewable energy powerhouse. However, the ability to transport electricity efficiently from where it is generated to where it is most needed remains one of the key challenges. Projects such as Netherton provide the backbone infrastructure to make that possible.
Once complete, the hub will not only strengthen Scotland’s role in supplying renewable energy but also reduce reliance on fossil fuels, enhance the UK’s energy security, and stabilise electricity costs by providing a reliable supply of homegrown, low-carbon power.
Balfour Beatty’s Role and Commitment
Nick Rowan, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s operations in Scotland, emphasised the company’s commitment to delivering on the project’s goals:
“Our role in delivering this critical infrastructure under the ASTI Offshore Framework will ensure that homegrown renewable power can be transmitted to where it is needed most, while creating jobs, supporting apprenticeships, and unlocking opportunities for the local supply chain. Our unrivalled expertise and proven track record of delivering complex infrastructure across Scotland positions us perfectly to continue our partnership with SSEN as we ramp up activity on the ground.”
Balfour Beatty has been actively engaged with SSEN Transmission during the early contractor involvement (ECI) phase of the project, offering input into design, logistics, and delivery planning. With this preparatory work now complete, the company is well-placed to move quickly into enabling works.
Main construction is scheduled to commence in early 2026, with Balfour Beatty expecting to employ approximately 800 people at peak activity. Importantly, at least 5% of the workforce will consist of apprentices and graduates, in line with the company’s membership in The 5% Club, which champions the recruitment of apprentices, graduates, and other entry-level talent into the UK workforce.
Economic and Social Benefits for Aberdeenshire
The development of the Netherton Hub is expected to generate significant economic and social benefits for Aberdeenshire and the surrounding regions. According to Darren Main, SSEN Transmission’s Deputy Project Director for the Netherton Hub, the project will play a crucial role in fostering local growth:
“We are delighted to work with Balfour Beatty in progressing our Netherton Hub development, where its expertise in delivering large-scale projects will play a key role in the construction of the infrastructure required for the delivery of clean energy to homes and businesses where it’s needed. Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is a major driver of jobs and economic activity, and the Netherton Hub will create hundreds of jobs within our supply chain – boosting the local economy in Aberdeenshire while creating graduate and apprenticeship opportunities for the new generation of energy sector workers.”
This emphasis on local employment and supply chain engagement reflects the wider vision of the ASTI Framework, which seeks not only to expand national infrastructure but also to strengthen regional economies and skill bases. By involving local contractors, suppliers, and training providers, the project will ensure that its benefits extend beyond the energy sector and into the wider community.
Part of a Wider National Effort
The Netherton Hub is just one of several large-scale transmission projects being advanced under the ASTI Framework. Collectively, these projects represent an unprecedented scale of investment in Britain’s electricity grid. With offshore wind expected to be the backbone of the UK’s future energy system, upgrading and expanding the transmission network is a critical enabler of decarbonisation.
Balfour Beatty’s involvement highlights its growing influence in the energy infrastructure market. The company has a long history of delivering major projects in Scotland, including significant contributions to the Beauly to Denny power line, Hunterston substations, and numerous wind farm connections. Its reputation for managing complex engineering challenges makes it a natural partner for SSEN Transmission in delivering projects of this magnitude.
