Balfour Beatty and SSEN Transmission To Develop Nine Electricity Transmission Projects Across North Scotland

Balfour Beatty and SSEN Transmission have partnered to develop nine electricity transmission projects across the north of Scotland, as part of the latter’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment program.

The first phase of works will include Balfour Beatty providing technical solutions for:

• The new 400 kV Beauly to Blackhillock overhead line
• The new 400 kV Blackhillock to Peterhead overhead line
• The new 400 kV Fetteresso to Tealing overhead line
• The upgrade of the Tealing to Alyth overhead line to 400 kV operation
• The upgrade of the Tealing to Westfield overhead line to 400 kV operation
• The construction of a new 400 kV substation near Peterhead
• The construction of a new 132 kV substation near Peterhead
• The construction of a new 400 kV substation near Braco
• The extension of the New Deer substation and 400 kV cable connections to the New Deer 2 substation

Balfour Beatty will support SSEN Transmission to identify and resolve any potential construction challenges, streamline the planning process, advice on the best use of materials, plan the phasing of work to ensure optimal productivity and scope out the use of modern methods of construction.

The company will also invest in capability and expertise, and provide long-term career opportunities to people in the surrounding area, including Apprenticeship and Graduate roles as part of its commitment to The 5% Club.

While main construction of the projects is expected to start in 2026, with energization of all nine projects by 2030, initial works will begin in spring 2024 as part of the Early Contractor Involvement phase involving 100 people from across Balfour Beatty. Construction contracts for the projects are predicted to be awarded from the end of 2025 into 2026.