SSEN Transmission has awarded a £100 million contract to Tranent-based Had Fab to fabricate nearly 500 steel towers.
The contract represents the largest in the history of the structural engineering and metal fabrication firm’s history, with the work to support the proposed Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV overhead electricity transmission project being delivered by SSEN Transmission’s supply chain partners Murphy and Wood Transmission and Distribution Ltd.
In the last 18 months, Had Fab has increased employee numbers from 120 to 197, enabling a continued skilled labour force for the future, with most based locally in East Lothian.
Overall, the number of employees will increase to more than 250 people over the next 12 months, based on the planned tower and substation requirements and other work, SSEN Transmission revealed.
Had Fab has a long-standing relationship with SSEN Transmission, having provided fabricated steel and aluminium for several other overhead line and substation projects – including on the Argyll and Kintore 275kV Reinforcement Project that is in construction.
The company has recently opened a commercial, projects, and engineering office in Glasgow, employing 15 people.
In addition, Had Fab plans to galvanise the towers using supply chain companies in the UK, including Glasgow-based Scottish Galvanizers Ltd – part of Wedge Group Galvanizing.
As the transmission operator for the north of Scotland, SSEN Transmission expects to invest at least £22 billion in the period to March 2031 as part of a wider renewal of the electricity transmission system across Britain – including several new 400kV overhead lines – that are required to enable the homegrown low-carbon electricity needed to deliver UK and Scottish clean power and energy security targets.
At a contracts award ceremony, senior representatives of Had-Fab, SSEN Transmission, Murphy and Wood Transmission and Distribution Ltd were joined by the secretary of state for Scotland in the UK Government, Ian Murray MP, and the Scottish Government cabinet secretary for climate action and energy, Gillian Martin MSP.
Over the next three years, Had Fab will fabricate 28,000 tonnes of tower steelwork under the terms of the work announced today.
Anthony Jones, chief commercial officer of Had-Fab, said, “These contracts reflect the continuing trust placed in Had-Fab’s capabilities and the strength of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and engineering excellence. We are proud to play a central role in building the infrastructure that will help power a greener future.”
Rob McDonald, MD of SSEN Transmission, added, “The scale of this work secured by Had-Fab demonstrates the major economic opportunities that are generated by investing to upgrade our electricity transmission infrastructure. Maximising the opportunities presented by Scotland’s clean power potential and growing the economy to support high quality jobs go hand in hand.
“That is exactly what is happening here in East Lothian, and in many other communities across the country, and demonstrates that we have supply chain companies with the skills and experience to support the journey we must complete to a clean power future.”
Iain Lamont, general manager and director of Wood Transmission and Distribution Ltd, said, “Upgrading the electricity grid across northern Scotland is a vital part of the UK’s broader transmission system renewal, supporting national low-carbon and energy security goals. Wood has partnered closely with SSEN Transmission and Had-Fab for years to deliver high-quality transmission infrastructure across Scotland. This award reflects the collective expertise we bring to this critical project, and we’re proud to strengthen local supply chains and contribute to the regional economy.”
Liam Corr, MD for Energy Projects at Murphy, added, “Our partnering agreement with Had-Fab supports our work in the Highlands to upgrade SSEN’s high voltage electricity transmission grid. The agreement builds on our longstanding relationship with Had-Fab and establishes a collaborative approach to the supply chain challenges the sector is facing. The scale of the contract provides the opportunity to grow our close relationship with Had-Fab, creating the security to support Had-Fab’s investment in their specialist Scottish business – creating opportunities and securing real jobs at Had-Fab and in the Highlands.”
