{"id":792388,"date":"2026-02-27T11:07:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/792388\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T11:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:07:15","slug":"powering-the-uks-energy-boom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/792388\/","title":{"rendered":"Powering the UK\u2019s energy boom"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an electrical engineer and member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, I\u2019ve spent over two decades working on projects that power homes, connect communities and support the industries that keep Britain moving. But what we\u2019re delivering in the North East of Scotland right now feels different. It\u2019s bigger, bolder, more urgent and we are right at the heart of it, building the critical infrastructure that will power the future of energy in the UK.<\/p>\n

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Scott Geddes is operations director, power transmission & distribution at Balfour Beatty<\/p>\n

This level of investment in our national grid hasn\u2019t been seen since the 1960s. Driven by net zero targets and the need for energy security, this transformation is turning the North East of Scotland into a clean energy powerhouse. This momentum has been further accelerated by Scottish Power\u2019s announcement of a \u00a35.4bn investment programme to upgrade the UK\u2019s electricity network, one of the most significant infrastructure rollouts in decades. The initiative includes critical transmission projects across central and southern Scotland, unlocking capacity for clean energy and reinforcing the grid to meet future demand.<\/p>\n

One of our most ambitious undertakings is the Beauly to Peterhead 400kV overhead line. Spanning approximately 192km, it\u2019s the longest and most complex transmission route we\u2019ve ever built. This line is a critical part of a \u00a320bn ASTI framework<\/a> supporting offshore wind and HVDC connections across Scotland. Building these strategic links presents technical challenges but we\u2019re uniquely positioned to tackle them with our supply\u2011chain network, specialist knowledge in this area, and the talent and skills to deliver at pace.<\/p>\n

Just west of Peterhead, a major milestone in the UK\u2019s energy infrastructure is taking shape. The Longside 400\/132kV GIS substation is set to become the largest of its kind ever constructed in Europe, featuring an impressive 28 bays at 400kV and 15 bays at 132kV. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as the beating heart of the Netherton Hub<\/a>, a strategically important energy site designed to support both ScotWind and the Eastern Green Link 3. Its sheer scale and technical complexity are a testament to the ambition and forward-thinking vision driving the wider programme.<\/p>\n

Beyond the scale and technical ambition, this infrastructure is also ultimately about the people it supports, the communities, workers and businesses whose futures it will help power.<\/p>\n

By mid-2028, we will have created 900 jobs, most of them local. We\u2019re working with regional suppliers and contractors; hosting Meet the Buyer events and supporting small businesses with tendering guidance. We\u2019re sourcing services like signage, catering, and cleaning from local businesses. And we\u2019re partnering with training organisations including Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Ceca) Academy, Skills Development Scotland, and the Construction Industry Training Board to build skills that will last far beyond the life of the project.<\/p>\n

Innovation is also at the core of our work. The Longside substation will feature a next-generation non-SF6 GIS switchgear, which is a major step forward in sustainable engineering. This technology is new, and it comes with challenges. But it\u2019s the right direction, and we\u2019re delivering it with the same rigour and reliability that defines our approach.<\/p>\n

With a government target of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and programmes like SSEN\u2019s Pathway to 2030 and the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment initiative, the UK is laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more resilient energy system.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019re making sure the benefits go beyond the grid. Aligned with our group-wide ambition to generate \u00a36bn in social impact value, we\u2019re delivering school mentoring, Stem workshops, social and local charity donations, and hundreds of hours of volunteering. Our teams are helping build a legacy of opportunity and community impact.<\/p>\n

This is what the future of energy infrastructure delivery looks like, and it\u2019s happening now.<\/p>\n