At the start of the year, Construction Wave highlighted 12 incredible projects in UK construction. Now, we’re back with an update on their progress – let’s take a look!
As we head beyond the mid-point of 2025, the construction industry is well into the year’s projects and developments. With the start of the year a distant memory, it’s the perfect time to check in on how projects are progressing and what still lies ahead.
Back at the beginning of 2025, a Glenigan report highlighted that the top 100 construction projects set to begin would generate £34 billion in work, with civil engineering leading the way.
With that in mind, take a look at the latest updates on 12 of the most exciting projects we highlighted to shape the year…
- HS2 high voltage rail systems power supply
Value: £328 million
Start date: February
Location: London/West Midlands
Late last year, Siemens Mobility Costain JV was appointed to design, supply, install, test, and maintain the high voltage power supply systems for the HS2 high-speed rail link. It will look to build round 50 traction sub-stations between London and Crewe to deliver power from the National Grid to the trains, alongside a dedicated HV non-traction network powering stations, shafts, depots, and other railway systems along the route.
The JV’s £328 million contract, which includes a seven-year maintenance contract, began in February and is set to run until 2049. However, with HS2 Limited and the Department for Transport (DfT) planning to renegotiate key construction contracts, further details may evolve.
- A5 Western Transport Corridor (A5WTC)
Value: £1.6 billion
Start date: TBC
Location: Northern Ireland
Works on the first phase of the A5, a 58-mile section of Northern Ireland’s road network, were set to begin in February, following several delays and a green light given in October last year. The phase would have focused on a 53-mile stretch from south of Londonderry to the border at Aughnacloy.
The future of the scheme though has been cast into doubt after a judge ruled last month that the Department for Infrastructure’s plans did not meet climate change targets, leading to a halt in the project’s current form. Infrastructure minister, Liz Kimmins said it was “extremely disappointing” but added she was “determined to ensure a new A5 is delivered”.
- A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening
Value: £1.2 billion
Start date: CANCELLED
Location East of England
The A12, one of the busiest roads in the east of England, was set for a major overhaul, with plans to widen a 15-mile stretch to enhance safety, alleviate congestion, and deliver a range of improvements for road users. Costain and Jacobs were partnered with National Highways to deliver the £1.2 billion project, set to be completed in 2027-28. However, the scheme was cancelled due to a lack of funds, with transport secretary Heidi Alexander citing the previous government’s failure to plan for the financial costs of infrastructure projects.
- Eastern Green Link 1
Value: £2.5 billion
Start date: April
Location: Scotland/North East England
Construction has officially begun on the Eastern Green Link 1 subsea electricity superhighway, following Ofgem’s approval of the project late last year. Aimed at boosting the UK’s energy grid, this 190km undersea cable will transport renewable energy to power two million homes, connecting the South East of Scotland to the North East of England.
Developed by a SP Energy Networks in partnership with National Grid Electricity Transmission, main construction works for the converter station at Torness are set to begin this summer, while offshore subsea cable installation started this month, with core seabed samples taken to inform the design.
- G Park Docklands data centre
Value: £400 million
Start date: May
Location: London
The 210-megawatt Docklands Data Centre Campus, approved in July 2024, will be one of London’s largest, located in the Royal Docks in Newham. Developed by Ada Infrastructure and GLP Capital Partners, the campus is progressing with the submission of a reserved matters application for a multi-functional building. This building will support local businesses and community groups, featuring sustainable designs. Plans for two 20-storey data halls are also underway, with further community consultations to follow.
- Therme Manchester
Value: £250 million
Start date: June
Location: North West
Therme Manchester is currently under development and is expected to open in late 2028. Once completed, it will become the largest water-based wellbeing destination in Europe. The project, which will feature 10 pools, 18 waterslides and more, is being co-invested by CVC and Therme Group as part of their strategic joint venture, Therme Horizon. A further update is expected soon.
- Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm
Value: £8 billion
Start date: CANCELLED
Location: East Yorkshire
The Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm, approved in 2023 by the previous government, was set to generate power for over one million homes. Developed by Ørsted, it was poised to become Europe’s second-largest wind farm, following the massive Hornsea 3.
However, Ørsted recently cancelled the project, citing rising supply chain costs, higher interest rates, and the increased risks associated with constructing and operating such a large-scale project within the original timeline. Despite the cancellation, the developer is evaluating the next steps, considering its seabed rights, grid connection agreement, and the development consent order already in place.
- Planned investment and major works
Value: £1 billion
Start date: August
Location: England
In November 2024, The Guinness Partnership Limited (TGPL) launched bidding for long-term investment programmes across its properties, with works including kitchen and bathroom replacements, roof repairs, and electrical upgrades. No update has yet been provided on the suppliers.
- Pittlesheugh Farm BESS
Value: £340 million
Start date: September
Location: Scotland
The Pittlesheugh Farm battery energy storage system (BESS), proposed by Will Ramsay whose family lives on the Scottish farm, aims to install 100 storage containers with a capacity of 300 MW. After initial objections in February, the developer submitted revisions, which are under review, but formal consultation is still pending. The revised scheme may address some concerns, but a final decision is yet to be made.
- Gate Burton Energy Park
Value: £269 million
Start date: October
Location: East Midlands
EDF Power Solutions UK acquired the Gate Burton Energy Park in Lincolnshire earlier this month. Approved in July 2024, the project, which would allow for the generation, storage and export of up to 500 MW electrical generation capacity, will power 160,000 homes and provide grid flexibility with battery storage. EDF is finalising consent details and plans to engage with the local community ahead of construction, set for completion in 2028.
- Green Volt offshore wind farm
Value: £2.5 billion
Start date: November
Location: Scotland
Green Volt, the joint venture between Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn, is making significant strides toward the development of Europe’s largest floating wind farm. The project, granted offshore planning approval last April, will feature up to 35 floating wind turbines, providing 560 MW of renewable energy capacity.
Recent milestones include the completion of seismic surveys at the St Fergus South landfall site and the awarding of a front-end engineering design (FEED) contract to Worley for the onshore substation. These efforts, along with ongoing geophysical surveys, keep the project on track for its ambitious delivery by 2029.
- Peckham regeneration mixed development
Value: £450 million
Start date: December
Location: London
Berkeley Homes was set to redevelop the former Aylesham shopping centre into an 850-home development, with 35 per cent of this being affordable housing. However, Southwark Council has raised concerns over the low proportion of affordable homes and potential impacts on the Rye Lane Peckham Conservation Area. The council stated earlier this month that it does not support the current proposal.
Was this interesting? Try: BAM Group steers UK market growth through rail and energy transition engineering projects
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