10 Tier One firms in line for £10bn energy contract

Ten Tier One firms are in the running to provide a critical upgrade of the electricity network in Scotland to the end of the decade.  

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Transmission has selected a series of preferred bidders to deliver new transmission infrastructure serving the UK, as part of its “Pathway to 2030” network investment plans.  

The Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework is valued at £10 billion. 

The supply chain partners will provide the overhead lines, underground cables and substations required to redevelop the transmission network in the north of Scotland between now and 2030.   

Preferred bidders 

• Balfour Beatty 
• Siemens Energy BAM 
• J Murphy & Sons 
• Wood Power Solutions 
• Omexom Morgan Sindall Infrastructure 
• Burns & McDonnell 
• Morrison Energy Services 
• Linxon 
• IQA  
• NKT   

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

The new infrastructure will enable “affordable and homegrown” low carbon power production in the UK, reducing its “dependence on – and price exposure to – volatile global wholesale energy markets”, said SSEN. 

Balfour Beatty is currently delivering a 400-kilovolt substation, associated cabling and overhead line works on behalf of SSEN in Peterhead. 

“Having worked closely and collaboratively with SSEN Transmission for over 40 years, we are delighted to be contributing to the upgrade of the electricity transmission network through their latest framework,” said Ian Currie, managing director of Balfour’s power transmission and distribution business. 

Rob McDonald, managing director of SSEN Transmission, 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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