SP Energy Networks invests £220m into power grid upgrades
Image courtesy SP Energy Networks
SP Energy Networks has extended its overhead line contracts, investing more than £220 million ($297.9 million) to upgrade the British power grid.
Six companies will continue to work with SP Energy Networks (SPEN) over the next four years to maintain and upgrade more than 20,000km of overhead lines across the network, helping deliver on the commitments in its Electricity Distribution (ED) 2 business plan.
Securing these contracts, says SPEN in a release, boosts the overhead line supply chain and its in-demand resources.
According to the utility, this will support more than 500 jobs – including 50-plus new linesmen jobs – across the country, with the companies based in and around SPEN’s Scotland and Manweb licence areas, ensuring ready access to the technical skills and resources needed.
The partner companies include:
• Scottish-based Aureos, Gaeltec and PLPC, which will support the six licence districts in central and southern Scotland (Ayrshire & Clyde South, Central & Fife, Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh & Borders, Glasgow & Clyde North, Lanarkshire).
• Emerald Power, IES and Network Plus – all based in the north-west of England – which will support the licence districts in Mid-Cheshire, Merseyside, Dee Valley and Mid Wales, Wirral and North Wales.
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Commenting in a release was Nicola Connelly, SPEN CEO: “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 forward to working together to make a long and lasting difference for all our communities – from Anstruther to Anglesey.”
Iain Thomson, head of distribution at Aureos, said: “This contract reflects the mutual respect and trust we have with SPEN and will help bring new resources into the industry. We have invested heavily in recruiting local trainees and will continue to upskill our existing staff while increasing trainee intakes to deliver on SPEN’s investment programme – continuing to grow our business in Scotland.”
Adrian Rowley, head of Contracts for Emerald Power: “Sharing the modern apprenticeship course at Bangor’s Coleg Menai with other service partners and SP Energy Networks is a key element of this and enables a fantastic opportunity for anyone across the communities we serve to have a very fulfilling and rewarding career working on the network.”
SPEN’s ED2 business plan covers the years 2023-2028, while getting ready for ED3.
