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Ten builders picked for £10bn electricity transmission framework | Construction News

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Ten builders picked for £10bn electricity transmission framework | Construction News

Balfour Beatty has been selected as one of 10 preferred bidders on SSEN Transmission’s £10bn onshore transmission framework.

The other preferred bidders are: a joint venture between Siemens Energy and Bam; J Murphy & Sons; Wood Power Solutions; a joint venture between Omexom and Morgan Sindall Infrastructure; Burns & McDonnell; Morrison Energy Services; Linxon; IQA; and NKT.

The Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework will deliver infrastructure in the north of Scotland for SSEN Transmission, which is responsible for the electricity network in the region.

Each preferred bidder has a different specialism. Works will include delivery of the overhead lines, underground cables and substations required to redevelop the transmission network in the north of Scotland between now and 2030.

Contract awards, including the defined scope and precise value of planned works, are expected later in 2023. 

SSEN Transmission says its ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme will help meet the UK and Scottish Government’s 2030 renewable energy and climate change targets as well as reducing Scotland’s dependence on global wholesale energy markets.

The major upgrade in northern Scotland’s electricity transmission network will allow the connection and transportation of affordable and homemade low-carbon power.

Balfour Beatty’s selection builds on its experience in delivering complex onshore electricity transmission projects, having been appointed by SSEN Transmission in 2019 to deliver the first and second phases of overhead line works, which are ongoing in the West of Scotland between Port Ann and Crossaig

Ian Currie, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s power transmission and distribution business, said that the contractor had worked with SSEN Transmission for more than 40 years.

Balfour Beatty is also delivering a new 400-kilovolt substation and associated cabling and overhead line works on behalf of SSEN Transmission in Peterhead, to ensure the continued safe supply of power to the north-east of Scotland.

SSEN Transmission managing director Rob McDonald said: “Our ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme will play a huge role in delivering Scotland and the UK’s net-zero targets, and the selection of this group of preferred bidders for crucial elements of that redevelopment work is a massive step forward in delivering that.

“As we aim to conclude contract negotiations in the coming weeks and months, we look forward to working with each of the selected contractors in the delivery of our ‘Pathway to 2030’ projects.

“Not only will this work support the delivery of UK and Scottish Government net-zero and energy security targets, but our forthcoming investments will provide significant local and national economic opportunities, helping unleash the economic potential of the north of Scotland.”

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