Energy infrastructure specialists M Group has been awarded a £110m contract to deliver overhead line upgrades across central and southern Scotland.
The Hertfordshire-based company will replace over 70 km of overhead line on ScottishPower’s strategic Strathaven to Smeaton route (VSRE), which runs from South Lanarkshire to East Lothian. The overhead line is one of the main power corridors between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The work will help increase Britain’s capacity to move power around the country, strengthen the local network for communities and increase energy security whilst supporting investment in new supply chain jobs and facilities, it said.
ScottishPower is investing £24bn in the UK to 2028 with the grid being reinforced and expanded to support future demand, connect more homes and businesses and reduce constraints on the grid.
The works entail the complete refurbishment of the 400kV Overhead line. The current line was constructed in the 1960s and all the key components are being replaced, with almost one million meters of high-capacity conductor being installed.
The M Group contract award is part of SP Energy Networks’ £5.4bn transmission framework where 19 companies were selected as preferred partners to help deliver a £12bn transmission investment programme.
UK Government, Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks said:
“This investment is just one example of the ongoing work to upgrade our electricity grid, which is essential to power homes and businesses with clean, secure energy we control.
“It is also an enormous economic opportunity – boosting supply chains here in the UK and providing jobs and investment in communities right across the country.”
Guy Jefferson, Transmission Managing Director at SP Energy Networks said:
“This contract award to M Group is representative of the kind of economic growth being generated by our £12 billion investment in upgrading the electricity transmission infrastructure in central and southern Scotland.
“We’re committed to maximising the opportunities for suppliers up and down the country, modernising the transmission network whilst unlocking growth and supporting more highly skilled, high-quality jobs.
“The work to replace the Strathaven to Smeaton overhead line is just one example of how we’re turbo charging investment and driving supplier confidence; we look forward to confirming more positive supply chain stories as we move through our investment programme.”
David Maddocks, Managing Director – Overhead Lines, M Group said:
“We’re delighted to play a central role in delivering this crucial upgrade to one of Scotland’s most important electricity corridors. Our highly skilled teams will fully refurbish the 400kV Strathaven to Smeaton overhead line, replacing components first installed in the 1960s and deploying advanced high-capacity technology to support future demand.
“Delivering this work with SP Energy Networks not only secures skilled jobs for our people and supports local employment, but also highlights our commitment to safe, efficient delivery on a project that will underpin the energy network for years to come.”
Image courtesy of SP Energy Networks
