GLASGOW-headquartered ScottishPower (SP) Energy Networks has announced 19 firms as preferred partners on its record £5.4 billion supply chain contract programme.
The companies have been selected to help SP Energy Networks deliver what it said is the biggest rewiring of the GB electricity grid since its inception.
Totalling 19 contractors, the line-up includes six Scottish firms – RJ McLeod, George Leslie, Luddon, I&H Brown, PLPC Ltd, and John Wood Group.
The strategic partnership will run for an initial five years, with the option to extend up to 10, giving businesses the long-term confidence and security to in-turn invest in their own staff, equipment, technology, and services over the period.
Nicola Connelly, CEO of SP Energy Networks, said, “We’re delivering the biggest overhaul of the electricity grid ever seen to unlock growth and free up network capacity for new homes, businesses and clean energy projects. These strategic partnerships will give suppliers the confidence to invest in themselves, growing their workforce, opening new offices across the country and creating even greater opportunities for the UK. This is great news for the UK and Scottish supply chains, with every pound spent directly benefiting central southern Scotland and its infrastructure for decades to come.”
The agreement includes up to £3 billion on new overhead lines and £2.4 billion on new and upgraded substations, including design, engineering, construction, and electrical works.
The successful suppliers joined Nicola Connelly to sign SP Energy Networks’ delivery charter at an event at the company’s Glasgow headquarters on Thursday, which outlines the businesses commitment to delivering on green jobs and talent development, a positive impact on communities, and a safe working environment.
SP Energy Networks, part of ScottishPower, owns and operates the transmission network for central and southern Scotland with more than 4,500km of overhead electricity lines, 600 km of underground cables and over 150 substations to transport high voltage power across the region. It also operates undersea high voltage cables and last week was given the go-ahead to progress with a new underwater superhighway off the east coast of Britain.
In September ScottishPower confirmed it was doubling its investment in the UK to 2028, from £12 billion to £24 billion, with two thirds focused on electricity networks.
