Balfour Beatty and Morgan Sindall among winners of £5.4bn energy scheme

SP Energy Networks has named 19 preferred partners for the £5.4 billion program to deliver part of the biggest grid replacement since its inception.

The company’s parent company, Scottish Power, said the work is planned to meet growing electricity demand, which is forecast to more than double by 2050.

The strategic partnership will be valid for the first five years with the possibility of extension up to 10 years.

SP Energy Networks chief executive Nicola Connelly said: “We are undertaking the biggest refurbishment of the electricity network ever seen to accommodate growth and free up network capacity for new homes, businesses and clean energy projects.

“These strategic partnerships will give suppliers the confidence to invest in themselves by expanding their workforce, opening new offices across the country and creating even greater opportunities for the UK.”

She added: “This is great news for UK and Scottish supply chains, as every pound spent directly benefits central south Scotland and its infrastructure for decades to come.”

Work covered under the partnership includes up to £3 billion for new overhead lines and £2.4 billion for new and upgraded substations, including design, engineering, construction and electrical works.

Scottish Power said its program would create 1,000 new jobs and add tens of thousands more to the supply chain.

SP Energy Networks owns and operates a power transmission network in central and southern Scotland comprising over 4,500 km of overhead power lines, 600 km of underground cables and over 150 high voltage power transmission substations.