Balfour Beatty has been awarded a significant contract worth £192m for the construction of three electricity substations in Argyll, Scotland, under SSEN Transmission’s strategic plan.
- The new substations are located at Craig Murrail, An Suidhe, and Crarae, aiming to bolster the region’s transmission infrastructure.
- Local recruitment promises to source at least half of the 200 required workers from the surrounding community.
- This project follows several key contracts previously secured by Balfour Beatty in the power sector, highlighting its expertise.
- Construction is set to commence in late summer 2024, with a peak workforce of around 200 personnel.
Balfour Beatty has secured a substantial £192m contract to construct three new electricity substations in Argyll for SSEN Transmission. This project is a critical component of the firm’s Argyll and Kintyre reinforcement initiative, designed to enhance the electricity transmission infrastructure to accommodate expected increases in renewable energy production in the region.
The locations identified for the new substations—Craig Murrail, An Suidhe, and Crarae—are strategically selected to fortify the power network. The reinforcement of these sites is crucial to ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply amid the growing demands of renewable energy.
Balfour Beatty’s commitment to local employment is evident as they have pledged to recruit no less than 50% of the necessary workforce from local communities. This initiative not only promotes regional employment but also integrates local insights into the project, potentially enhancing the overall effectiveness of the construction efforts.
This contract is the latest in a series of successful ventures for Balfour Beatty within the power distribution sector, including their involvement in the Peterhead substation project and nine other schemes under SSEN Transmission’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment framework. Each of these projects underscores the firm’s proficiency and adaptability in delivering large-scale infrastructure undertakings.
According to Tony Wilson, managing director of Balfour Beatty UK Power Transmission & Distribution, the project represents a significant milestone in the overall enhancement strategy of substation infrastructure in Argyll. He stressed the company’s capability in substation delivery, augmented by their extensive local experience, as pivotal in confronting and overcoming the challenges ahead.
This landmark power infrastructure project reinforces Balfour Beatty’s pivotal role in advancing renewable energy initiatives in Scotland.
