In a significant development, Balfour Beatty has been awarded a contract worth £192 million.
- The project involves the construction of three 275kV electrical substations in Argyll, western Scotland.
- This initiative is part of SSEN Transmission’s strategy to boost renewable energy in the region.
- Construction will begin later this summer, providing employment for around 200 people at its peak.
- Balfour Beatty previously completed a substation project in Peterhead, showcasing their expertise.
Balfour Beatty has secured a substantial £192 million contract to construct three 275kV electrical substations in Argyll, located in western Scotland. This project, awarded by SSEN Transmission, underscores the strategic efforts to enhance renewable energy infrastructure in the region.
The substations are situated in Craig Murrail, An Suidhe, and Crarae, forming a crucial component of SSEN Transmission’s broader Argyll and Kintyre reinforcement strategy. By bolstering the area’s substation infrastructure, this endeavour is poised to support the anticipated increase in renewable energy production, addressing both current and future demands.
Awarded through the GIS2 RIIO T2 framework, to which Balfour Beatty was appointed in 2022, the project highlights the company’s pivotal role in advancing energy solutions in the UK. Tony Wilson, managing director of power transmission and distribution at Balfour Beatty, emphasized the importance of their expertise and local experience in delivering the project with high standards and ensuring a stable renewable energy supply to the region’s homes and businesses.
Construction at the Argyll stations is scheduled to commence later this summer, expecting to employ around 200 people at its peak. Notably, more than half of these will be sourced from the local area, highlighting the project’s contribution to the regional economy.
In addition to this project, Balfour Beatty recently completed a substation in Peterhead for SSEN and received a £32 million contract to design and develop an initial phase of a 137-kilometre power line from Fort Augustus to Edinbane. This latter project aims to create a critical link between Skye, the Western Isles, and mainland Scotland.
Balfour Beatty’s new contract marks a pivotal advancement in reinforcing Scotland’s renewable energy infrastructure.
