Story Scotland has created a new division to deliver civil engineering solutions for energy customers. The move has been tipped to establish the firm as a key player in the nation’s transition to net zero. Alan Boyle, a chartered engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, heads up the division. He recently answered Project Scotland’s questions about the new offering.
Q) What was the driving force behind the decision to establish this new energy division and what services/capabilities does it offer?
A) The decision to diversify Story Scotland into energy was driven by the increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure solutions and the critical role that energy plays in Scotland’s transition to net zero. As a business, we recognised an opportunity to apply our expertise in civil engineering to support the delivery of energy infrastructure projects, ensuring they are completed efficiently, safely, sustainably and to the highest quality standards.
Our services cover battery energy storage systems (BESS), pumped hydro, ground-mounted solar PV, wind farm infrastructure, and hydro maintenance. A key focus for us is transmission upgrades, particularly through Scotland’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) programmes. Alongside this we are also looking to bring our expertise to the distribution sector where we will support the DNO’s with their upgrade plans.
Q) What sort of projects are you currently working on and what do you see as the greatest opportunities for the division?
A) We have a number of live Battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects across Scotland, providing the civil engineer scope. The greatest opportunity for us lies in the long-term investment Scotland is making in its energy infrastructure alongside distribution networks enabling greener energy to homes and businesses. The need to upgrade the grid, deliver more renewable generation projects, and improve energy storage capabilities presents significant growth potential. This requires a huge amount of work and we are positioning Story Energy (Scotland) as a trusted delivery partner in this space.
Q) How competitive is this segment of the market and how do you intend to stand out?
A) The energy infrastructure market is competitive. What we hope sets Story Energy (Scotland) apart is our agility and track record in delivering complex infrastructure projects efficiently and safely. We have direct delivery capability, and a customer focused collaborative approach. We are nimble, responsive, and committed to delivering on time and on budget.
We also benefit from being part of the wider Story Contracting business, which has a strong reputation in transportation, civils, and construction. This experience enables us to leverage existing relationships, expertise, and resources to offer a seamless service to customers.
Our company moto is to always ‘Do it Right’ – by our people, our clients, and the communities that we work in. This is backed by our strong family values.
Q) What does the energy division have by way of personnel/facilities?
A) We have offices in Glasgow and Perth, with plans to open another office in Inverness in the next 12 to 18 months. We currently have 30 skilled professionals within the division, covering engineering, project management, and commercial. Our ambitious growth plans will support the creation of over 100 new jobs in the next five years. This will include opportunities for graduates, apprentices, and career changers, as well as roles for experienced industry professionals across a number of disciplines.
Q) How realistic do you believe Scotland’s transition to net zero ambitions are? What are the main challenges that must be overcome?
A) Scotland’s net zero ambitions are achievable, but they require major investment, skilled resources, and a strong pipeline of projects delivered at pace. While progress is being made, we need to see continued collaboration between government, industry, and the supply chain to overcome these hurdles.
Q) Have you been encouraged by the Scottish construction industry’s response generally to the increased focus on sustainability?
A) Yes, there has been significant progress in recent years, with many contractors and clients embedding sustainability principles into their operations. The shift towards low-carbon materials, modern construction methods, and circular economy principles is encouraging.
The sector must continue to push innovation and invest in training and upskilling to fully embrace sustainable construction.
Q) Where are we in terms of the skills required for energy infrastructure projects?
A) There is a growing demand for skilled professionals in the energy infrastructure sector, but the skills gap remains a challenge. Engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, and environmental specialists, are all critical to delivering energy projects, yet there is a shortage of experienced personnel across all civil engineering sectors.
At Story Energy (Scotland), we are actively creating career pathways for those interested in the sector and have launched our bespoke early careers programme this year for trainee engineers and quantity surveyors. We believe attracting new talent, investing in apprenticeships, and reskilling workers from other industries will be essential to ensuring we have the workforce required to deliver.
