Balfour Beatty has secured a £1.6 billion contract to install 68 kilometres of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables for the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project.

The project, a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission, will create a 2GW electricity superhighway between Peterhead in Scotland and Drax in Yorkshire.

The cables will be installed underground to minimise environmental impact and connect to new converter stations at both ends of the route.

The project aims to increase the capacity of the UK's electricity grid and facilitate the integration of renewable energy from Scotland into the national grid.

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Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty's Power Transmission and Distribution business said: "With a proven track record of working on complex cabling projects, this contract further demonstrates our leading role in delivering the vital infrastructure needed to reinforce the energy sector.

"Our experience and deep domain knowledge positions us perfectly to complete these latest works for the project which will power around two million homes and businesses, supporting the UK's transition to clean energy."

Balfour Beatty's selection further bolsters its portfolio of nationally critical power transmission and distribution projects including the company's recent appointment to deliver the £363 million Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement scheme.

Main works are expected to commence in early 2025, with completion scheduled for 2029. At construction peak, the project is expected to employ 140 people including graduate and apprenticeship positions as part of Balfour Beatty's commitment to The 5% Club.