SP Energy Networks has announced a significant investment exceeding £220 million, extending its overhead line contracts with six key service partners.

This substantial commitment aims to bolster the electricity grid and develop the workforce of the future, supporting over 500 jobs across Scotland and North West England, including more than 50 new linesmen positions.

The renewed contracts will see Aureos, Gaeltec, PLPC (all Scottish-based), Emerald Power, IES, and Network Plus (all based in North West England) continue their work with SP Energy Networks over the next four years. Their responsibilities include maintaining and upgrading over 20,000km of overhead lines across the network. This initiative is crucial for delivering on the commitments outlined in SP Energy Networks' Electricity Distribution (ED) 2 business plan (2023-2028) and preparing for the upcoming ED3 phase.

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The contracts provide a significant boost to the overhead line supply chain, securing much-needed resources and ensuring ready access to technical skills. The partner companies are strategically located within or near SP Energy Networks' Scotland and Manweb licence areas.

Nicola Connelly, SPEN CEO, underscored the importance of these agreements: "Ensuring we have the partners, resources and technical skills in place to deliver on our bold and ambitious plans for our network is vital for the modern and resilient grid needed to support the doubling of demand. These contracts not only support significant investment in our overhead line network, they allow us to build on the solid foundations created with our supply chain partners and give certainty and confidence to further invest in their skills and people. It's a win-win on both sides and we look relevant forward to working together to make a long and lasting difference for all our communities – from Anstruther to Anglesey."

This substantial investment ensures the continued upgrading and maintenance of critical electricity infrastructure, supporting economic growth and the transition to a net-zero future across the regions served by SP Energy Networks.