Balfour Beatty has officially been appointed by SSEN Transmission to carry out a significant upgrade and extension of the New Deer electricity substation in Aberdeenshire.

This contract represents a crucial step in Scotland's commitment to achieving a clean power and energy-secure future.

Originally energised in 2019, the substation will now be expanded by Balfour Beatty to manage the anticipated growth in clean, homegrown power generation across the north of Scotland. The project will involve adding four new electricity connection bays to the existing platform, which will facilitate future connections to the transmission network.

Once completed, the extension will be essential in supporting the rapid deployment of both onshore and offshore renewable energy projects throughout the region, ensuring clean energy can be transported efficiently to where it is needed.

The work at New Deer is a component of SSEN Transmission's ambitious Pathway to 2030 programme, which involves a major series of electricity transmission projects. The programme is set to see an investment of at least £22 billion in the coming years. This overall investment aims to unlock Scotland's clean power potential, deliver the infrastructure required to meet national energy security targets, and create jobs and local economic benefits.

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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, Director of Onshore Capital Delivery at SSEN Transmission, highlighted the local impact: "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."

Mr Cooley confirmed that the project, which will see around 40 workers on site during peak construction, is also supporting local contracts, including those with AJ Engineering (based in Forres) and Beauly-based Global Infrastructure Scotland.

Works have already commenced, with the initial phase of the substation extension expected to be completed in 2026.