Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has been awarded a contract by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited, a subsidiary of SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy), to replace the electricity transmission line between Beauly and Wharry Burn, 20km north of Denny.
The contract, valued at approximately £290 million, is a significant part of the overall Beauly-Denny scheme and involves the project development, design, material provision and installation of a 200km double circuit 400kV overhead electricity transmission line and associated civil and access works, including construction of temporary access roads and associated improvements to some private roads. It will replace an existing 132kV overhead transmission line that will be dismantled during the contract period including reinstatement of the existing sites. Work being carried out by Balfour Beatty is scheduled to be completed in 2015.
Commenting on the contract award today, Mike Sparrow, Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Managing Director, said:
“We are delighted to be awarded this complex project to upgrade the electrical infrastructure from the Highlands to the central belt of Scotland. We look forward to working with SSE and local communities to sensitively and successfully deliver this contract which will ensure that Scotland has the robust electricity network necessary to enable it to become a European leader in decarbonisation, through connection of its targeted growth in renewable generation.”
Balfour Beatty has more than a century’s worth of experience in delivering challenging infrastructure projects in Scotland. During the 1920s and 1930s Balfour Beatty was instrumental in the development of hydroelectric generating and transmission schemes throughout the Highlands of Scotland. More recently it completed work on Whitelee Windfarm, the largest onshore generator of its kind in Europe, Airdrie-Bathgate rail link, Scotland’s longest new section of passenger railway in over 100 years, a number of EHV overhead powerlines and the M74 extension which completed the “missing link” in Glasgow’s motorway network. It is currently engaged in a number of electricity transmission and distribution projects in the region, as well as renewing Edinburgh Waverley station and completing the refurbishment of the iconic Forth Bridge.
ENDS
Enquiries to:
Janette Masson
Balfour Beatty
0131 311 5384
Notes to Editors
1. Balfour Beatty (www.balfourbeatty.com) is a world-class infrastructure group with capabilities in professional services, construction services, support services and infrastructure investments.
We work in partnership with our customers principally in the UK, continental Europe, the US, South-East Asia, Australia and the Middle East, who value the highest levels of quality, safety and technical expertise.
Key infrastructure markets include transportation (roads, rail and airports); social infrastructure (education, specialist healthcare, and various types of accommodation); utilities (water, gas and power transmission and generation); and commercial (offices, leisure and retail).
The Group delivers services essential to the development, creation and care of infrastructure assets including project design, financing and management, engineering and construction, and facilities management services.
Balfour Beatty employs 50,000 people around the world.
