Balfour Beatty has today announced its appointment by SSEN Transmission to upgrade the New Deer electricity substation in Aberdeenshire, marking a significant milestone in Scotland’s journey towards a clean power, energy secure future.
Originally energised in 2019, Balfour Beatty will now extend the substation to accommodate the forecast growth in homegrown, clean power, across the north of Scotland. The expansion will add four new electricity connection bays to the existing platform, which will enable future connections to the transmission network.
Once complete, the extension will support the rapid growth of onshore and offshore renewable energy projects across the north of Scotland, enabling clean energy to go to where it is needed.
Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution business, said: “We are proud to be delivering the New Deer substation extension on behalf of SSEN Transmission. Our appointment is testament to our unrivalled expertise and the capability of our people.
“We now look forward to working closely and collaboratively with SSEN Transmission, as we lay the groundwork for a successful construction phase and help power the UK’s journey to net zero.”
Paul Cooley, who started this month in a new role as Director of Onshore Capital Delivery at SSEN Transmission, said: “The start of construction work at our existing New Deer Substation marks a significant step in our wider onshore Pathway to 2030 programme of transmission infrastructure for the north of Scotland.
“While the work involved in this project all takes place within the existing New Deer Substation site, the project will play a major role in connecting new renewable energy to the grid and help to transport clean energy to where it is needed.
“The project – which will see around 40 working at the site during peak construction – also supports local contracts to firms across the north of Scotland, including AJ Engineering who are based in Forres and Beauly-based Global Infrastructure Scotland, and we’re looking forward to working with them. We’re committed to engaging with the local community throughout the project’s construction to maximise business and other opportunities.
“By investing in our network today, we’re building a clean energy future."
Breaking ground at the New Deer substation extension marks another step forwards in SSEN Transmission’s ambitious Pathway to 2030 programme – a major programme of electricity transmission projects that are part of its plans to invest at least £22 billion in the coming years. The programme will unlock Scotland’s homegrown, clean power potential and deliver the infrastructure needed to meet national energy security and clean power targets, all while bringing jobs and local benefits to the community.
Works have already commenced with completion of the initial phase expected in 2026.
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New Deer substation
