SP Energy Networks confirms preferred partners for £5.4bn contract programme

The companies have been selected to help the network operator deliver the biggest rewiring of GB’s electricity network since its inception to meet rising demand and unlock growth.

SP Energy Networks’ parent company, ScottishPower, said it would create 1,000 new jobs and deliver tens of thousands more across the supply chain.

With electricity demand set to double, the UK grid needs a major upgrade to transport power across the country.

Seventeen of the 19 contractors chosen to work on the program are based in the UK and Ireland, demonstrating SP Energy Networks’ commitment to developing the country’s wider supply chain.

These include companies such as Surrey-headquartered Keltbray Energy Limited, and recent ScottishPower Supplier of the Year Award winners, who will deliver both overhead and substation work. Scottish family-run civil engineering firm I&H Brown and Glasgow-based contractors RJ McLeod will help deliver new and upgraded substations.

The strategic partnership will run for an initial period of five years, with the option to extend to 10, giving companies the confidence and long-term security to in turn invest in their own staff, equipment, technology and services throughout the period.

Nicola Connelly, CEO of SP Energy Networks, said: “We are delivering the biggest overhaul of the electricity network ever seen to unlock 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, grow their workforce, open new offices across the country and create even greater opportunities for the UK.

“This is great news for the UK and Scottish supply chains, with every pound spent directly benefiting south-central Scotland and its infrastructure for decades to come.”

The deal includes up to £3 billion for new overhead lines and £2.4 billion for new and upgraded substations, including design, engineering, construction and electrical work.

The successful suppliers joined Nicola Connelly to sign the SP Energy Networks Delivery Charter at an event at the company’s headquarters in Glasgow, which highlights the company’s commitment to delivering green jobs and talent development, a positive impact on communities and a safe work environment.

Preferred Partners in the Strategic Agreement for Airline Works:

• Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited
• Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios SA
• Keltbray Energy Limited
• Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd
• Morrison Energy Services (Transmission Networks) Ltd
• Painhas SA
• Power Lines, Conduit & Cables Limited
• Wood Transmission And Distribution Limited

Preferred partners in the Strategic Agreement for substation works:

• Adman Civil Projects Limited
• Amalgamated Construction Ltd
• George Leslie Limited
• I & H. Brown Limited
• Keltbray Energy Limited
• Kirby Group Engineering (UK) Limited
• Linxon UK Ltd
• Luddon Construction Limited
• Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd
• Morrison Energy Services (Transmission Networks) Ltd
• Northstone (NI) Limited
• Painhas SA
• RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited
• Siemens Energy Limited
• UK Grid Solutions Limited

SP Energy Networks, part of ScottishPower, owns and operates the transmission network for central and southern Scotland, with over 4,500km of overhead power lines, 600km of underground cables and over 150 substations to carry high voltage power across the region. It also operates high-voltage underwater cables and last week got the go-ahead to progress a new underwater highway off Britain’s east coast.

In September, ScottishPower confirmed it was doubling its investment in the UK by 2028, from £12bn to £24bn, with two-thirds focused on electricity networks.

In the coming weeks, SP Energy Networks will submit its five-year business plan for 2026-2031 to the energy regulator, Ofgem. These plans will play an important role in helping to deliver the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition.