Balfour Beatty, the UK’s largest contractor, has secured a significant £363m contract for a power transmission project in East Anglia. This project, commissioned by National Grid, aims to bolster the region’s electricity network through the construction of new power lines and cables.
- The awarded scheme is part of National Grid’s £1.5bn RIIO-2 framework and involves a major upgrade of the existing high-voltage network between Suffolk and Essex.
- Balfour Beatty will construct an 18km, 400-kilovolt overhead line, replacing the current network between Bramford Substation and Twinstead Tee.
- The project also includes 11km of underground cable through picturesque areas such as the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale, recognised for their outstanding natural beauty.
- Construction is set to commence in early 2025, employing up to 200 workers at its peak, with completion expected by 2028.
Balfour Beatty has been entrusted with a £363m contract to execute a power transmission project in East Anglia, reflecting its status as the UK’s foremost contractor. In collaboration with National Grid, this ambitious project seeks to enhance the regional electricity infrastructure by establishing new lines and cable networks. Such initiatives are crucial for the progression towards a more secure and efficient energy future.
The proposal forms a segment of National Grid’s expansive £1.5bn RIIO-2 framework, initiated in 2021. This framework underlines significant infrastructure investments aimed at upgrading ageing networks and facilitating energy transition. Balfour Beatty, alongside Morgan Sindall, identified as key players for both overhead and underground operations, underscores the strategic importance of this undertaking.
Central to the project’s plan is the construction of an 18km, 400-kilovolt overhead line, effectively replacing the existing infrastructure stretching from Bramford Substation in Suffolk to Twinstead Tee in Essex. This enhancement is deemed essential for the sustained reliability and capacity of the electricity transmission system.
In addition to overhead lines, the venture encompasses the deployment of 11km of underground cabling through areas such as the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale. These zones are designated areas of outstanding natural beauty, necessitating a careful and considerate approach to preserve their environmental integrity while fulfilling the project’s objectives.
The construction phase is anticipated to commence in the first half of 2025, involving a workforce of up to 200 individuals. This initiative is scheduled to conclude in 2028, marking a substantial step forward in modernising the nation’s energy infrastructure. Balfour Beatty’s chief executive, Leo Quinn, highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to leveraging its expertise in delivering challenging projects, “This award demonstrates the momentum we are capturing in the energy security and transition market.”
Balfour Beatty’s latest project represents a pivotal advancement in the UK’s energy infrastructure development.
