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Some £320 million of power network infrastructure projects in the north of Scotland have been thrown open to tender amid massive expansion plans.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has invited contractors and companies to tender for the wide array of new infrastructure projects, which it argues will create “greater network capacity, enable more connections, and increase network resilience”.
It says the move signals a change in the way it awards and manages Large Capital Delivery projects.
And it comes as SSEN continues to work to deliver a net zero electricity system by 2035.To aid in its delivery of this goal, SSEN is now seeking long-term, strategic partners to deliver the £320m programme. SSEN will award Framework Agreements based on geographical areas for underground cable works, substations, and overhead line projects.
This approach will give a commitment to contract partners, which SSEN says will help “facilitate growth, and the development of locally-based workers, thus strengthening their own ability to deliver net zero projects”.
James Flanagan, SSEN Distribution’s Director of Procurement said: “We’re delighted to bring these new opportunities to the market. This represents a huge investment in the north of Scotland’s electricity network, but also in the supply chain, and the skilled workforce that will deliver it.
“This new way of working will deliver value for money for customers; it will deliver certainty and operational benefits for both us and our contract partners, and it will power us all to the net zero electricity system we’re committed to delivering.
“Our hope is that this new approach will attract the broadest range of companies to bid for the work. But the fact we’ve divided the licence area into smaller geographical zones means companies of all sizes have potential opportunities.”