Balfour Beatty has just announces that it has been awarded two places on National Grid’s c. £59 billion High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) supply chain framework. The company is one of 19 suppliers appointed to the framework which covers a period of five years, with an option for a three-year
As the waters of the North Sea whip against steel platforms, a familiar debate surges once again. BP has confirmed it will restart operations at the Murlach oil field, located 120 miles east of Aberdeen, bringing it back online more than two decades after its closure. Supporters hail the decision
New facilities will build resilience into UK’s energy systems Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen by EnergyPathways PLC (EPP) to study onshore location sites for EPP’s flagship integrated energy storage and decarbonisation project. Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) is expected to be the UK’s largest integrated energy storage
Three-year contract will see Costain deliver engineering expertise to operations at the Kinneil Terminal in Scotland. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has secured a multimillion-pound engineering services contract with INEOS FPS. The contract, covering a minimum of three years, will see Costain deploy its extensive engineering expertise to support the
A Government contract for a groundbreaking hydrogen production facility in Bradford has been signed by project partners N-Gen Energy Solutions and Hygen Energy. The contract, called a Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement, provides the scheme with government subsidies to enable the hydrogen produced to be sold at a rate which is
The UK government has given the go-ahead for the £38 billion Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-term energy strategy. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the final investment decision today, describing the project as a bold step towards building a low-carbon, energy-secure
Ofgem has given its initial approval to a landmark £24bn investment package aimed at transforming Britain’s energy grid and reducing dependence on imported gas. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has provisionally endorsed, subject to consultation, a programme of 80 infrastructure projects focused on new power lines and
Balfour Beatty has been awarded an £833 million contract by Technip Energies to deliver the Net Zero Teesside Power project—set to become the world’s first gas-fired power station equipped with full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The landmark onshore development will include power generation, carbon capture, and compression facilities.
SP Energy Networks has awarded supply chain contracts to support a £1.4bn commitment to deliver critical onshore transmission projects across central and southern Scotland and help deliver the Government’s Clean Power 2030 mission. Forming part of a wider £5.4 billion supplier investment programme over the next decade to move the
Murphy has been awarded the largest substation project currently underway in the UK, following a multimillion-pound contract win from National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The project involves the construction of a major new substation at Uxbridge Moor in Buckinghamshire, adjacent to NGET’s existing Iver substation. The new infrastructure is set
Balfour Beatty has just announces that it has been awarded two places on National Grid’s c. £59 billion High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) supply chain framework. The company is one of 19 suppliers appointed to the framework which covers a period of five years, with an option for a three-year extension. As the only company appointed to two Lots on the framework, Balfour Beatty will deliver both the civil engineering works for future converter station schemes, as well as the associated onshore underground cabling works. Contracts, including defined scope and value of works, are expected to be awarded in 2026 and throughout the duration of the framework. The HVDC supply chain framework aims to establish long-term partnerships for both ongoing and future energy projects to help connect cleaner, more affordable energy to homes and businesses across England and Wales. As the largest power transmission provider in the UK, Balfour Beatty’s appointment to the HVDC supply chain framework builds on its long and proud history of working with National Grid. Most recently, the company successfully completed the Viking Link Interconnector Project having installed 68 kilometers of high voltage cabling across Lincolnshire; connecting Denmark to Great Britain at National Grid’s Bicker Fen substation in Boston, Lincolnshire. Stephen Tarr, Divisional CEO and Group Sector Lead – UK Energy at Balfour Beatty, said: “Our unique end-to-end capabilities and our extensive civil engineering knowledge makes us ideally positioned to secure the power supply to millions of homes and businesses across England and Wales. “We look forward to working closely and collaboratively with National Grid and our partners on the High Voltage Direct Current supply chain framework, as we build on our long-standing relationship and our history of successful delivery.” Zac Richardson, Chief Engineer and Offshore Delivery Director of Strategic Infrastructure at National Grid, said: “This marks a major step forward in delivering the UK’s future energy network. This investment not only underpins the transition to a more secure, independent and low-carbon energy future, but will also support tens of thousands of UK jobs, boost regional supply chains and strengthen our construction and engineering sectors. By building strategic, long-term partnerships with leading UK-based contractors, we’re ensuring the UK is ready to meet the growing demand for electricity with a resilient and modern network.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the waters of the North Sea whip against steel platforms, a familiar debate surges once again. BP has confirmed it will restart operations at the Murlach oil field, located 120 miles east of Aberdeen, bringing it back online more than two decades after its closure. Supporters hail the decision as a lifeline for domestic energy production, while critics denounce it as a regressive step at a time when the climate clock is ticking. The Murlach field was originally mothballed in 2004 after being deemed uneconomic. However, advances in drilling technology, combined with fresh investment, have altered the equation. BP says the site holds around 20 million barrels of recoverable oil and 600 million cubic metres of gas — enough to sustain production for roughly eleven years. Initial output could reach 20,000 barrels of oil and 17 million cubic feet of gas each day. To the company, this is a strategic revival of a known resource that avoids the lengthy approval process faced by entirely new projects. To many environmental campaigners, it is proof that the fossil fuel industry is still intent on extracting every drop possible, even as the impacts of global warming intensify. The political backdrop is complex. The current government has pledged to halt new licensing for oil and gas exploration, citing the need for a “fair and orderly” transition towards renewable energy. However, it has also stated it will honour existing licences, including Murlach’s. The stance attempts to balance two competing pressures: meeting climate targets on one hand, and maintaining energy security and jobs on the other. This balancing act is not without contradiction. While ministers point to record investments in offshore wind and carbon capture technology, they also concede that the UK will still require oil and gas for decades to come. The independent Climate Change Committee has forecast that between 13 and 15 billion barrels will be needed by 2050. The challenge is where that supply will come from — and whether it should come from domestic waters or overseas imports. Supporters of the Murlach restart argue that extracting what remains in the North Sea makes strategic sense. They highlight that domestic production is subject to higher environmental standards than imports and that local output supports thousands of skilled jobs in coastal communities. Industry groups also warn that overly restrictive policies could push investment elsewhere, eroding the UK’s position as a player in global energy markets. Yet the numbers paint a sobering picture. Output from the North Sea has been declining for a quarter of a century. Oil production has dropped sharply in recent years, and gas volumes are also slipping. The North Sea Transition Authority projects an annual fall of about 7 per cent for oil and 12 per cent for gas, with a 90 per cent overall decline by 2050. Much of the easily accessed resource has already been tapped. What remains often comes from smaller, more technically challenging fields like Murlach. For environmentalists, the issue is not whether the oil can be reached but whether it should be. They argue that continuing to invest in fossil fuel infrastructure locks the UK into carbon emissions for decades, jeopardising climate goals and exposing the country to the volatility of global oil markets. Their prescription is clear: accelerate the pivot to renewable energy sources, invest in green jobs, and support communities through the economic transition away from oil and gas. This divergence of opinion is not new, but it is becoming sharper. On one side are those who see the North Sea as a dwindling but still valuable asset, a means of cushioning the UK against supply shocks and geopolitical instability. On the other are those who see it as a relic of the past — one that risks distracting from the urgent work of building a zero-carbon future. International voices have added fuel to the fire. Former US President Donald Trump, during a recent visit to Scotland, criticised UK tax policy on North Sea oil, describing the reserves as a “treasure chest” being squandered through excessive levies. His remarks drew predictable applause from some in the industry and scorn from others who see such rhetoric as at odds with climate realities. Meanwhile, the renewable sector continues to grow. Large-scale wind projects, such as the recently approved Berwick Bank development, promise to generate enough electricity to power millions of homes. Supporters of these projects note that wind, unlike oil, will never run out — and its costs have plummeted over the past decade. However, large renewable schemes take years to plan and build, and they cannot yet provide the same constant output as fossil fuels without significant advances in storage technology. The tension between these timelines — the urgency of climate action versus the slower pace of infrastructure change — lies at the heart of the Murlach debate. Critics fear that each new or revived oil field pushes the energy transition further into the future, creating a dependency that will be harder to break. Proponents counter that an abrupt halt to domestic production would not reduce demand but simply shift it to other countries, often with higher carbon footprints and fewer environmental safeguards. In reality, the outcome may be shaped less by moral clarity and more by market forces. If global oil prices remain high, even marginal fields could become attractive again. If renewable energy continues to become cheaper and more reliable, the economic case for large-scale fossil fuel investment will weaken further. For now, Murlach is set to join a small but growing list of North Sea fields brought back from the brink. Whether this represents prudent resource management or a stubborn refusal to change course depends on one’s vantage point. What is clear is that the UK is at a crossroads — not just in terms of energy supply, but in deciding what kind of energy future it truly wants. If the goal is to lead in climate action while maintaining energy security, the path ahead will require more than simply
New facilities will build resilience into UK’s energy systems Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen by EnergyPathways PLC (EPP) to study onshore location sites for EPP’s flagship integrated energy storage and decarbonisation project. Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) is expected to be the UK’s largest integrated energy storage facility, planned to be approximately 15km off the coast of Blackpool. It is designed to support the UK government’s energy strategy for transitioning to clean power by providing long-duration energy storage solutions, combining natural gas, hydrogen, and compressed air technologies. Costain’s front-end engineering and design experts will initially compare possible locations for the onshore process facilities and associated infrastructure. The study will assess the impact of location on connectivity to the gas and electricity networks, review the impact of site selection on construction cost and schedule, and consider the opportunities and risks in reuse of existing infrastructure. The planned MESH onshore facilities will support large-scale natural gas storage and production, compressed air Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES), hydrogen storage, clean hydrogen production, clean ammonia and graphite production, and flexible clean power generation. Grant Johnson, technical director at Costain, commented: “MESH is an ambitious, exciting project that will enhance the UK’s energy resilience, and enable more clean energy generation through large-scale energy storage. “We know just how important it is to make robust choices at the early stages of a project, and we are looking forward to helping EPP with site selection, using our experience in delivering energy storage infrastructure to inform decision-making on aspects such as constructability and sustainability.” Ben Clube, CEO at EnergyPathways said: “We are delighted to have entered into this engagement with Costain, a tier 1 UK-headquartered infrastructure company with extensive engineering knowledge and experience of the North-West region. “Costain’s expertise will be invaluable in optimising the location for the MESH onshore facilities. Costain also brings relevant experience across several important aspects of the MESH project, including salt cavern development and in emerging technologies in the context of the UK government energy policy settings. “This engagement continues the selection by EnergyPathways of world-class strategic partners with the expertise and experience to deliver a large-scale low-carbon integrated energy solution of national significance.” Once operational, MESH will enable natural gas storage in the depleted Marram reservoir, with subsequent development to include Hybrid Compressed Air Energy Storage (H-CAES), which will store energy from offshore wind in the region by compressing air into adjacent salt caverns. The salt caverns will also be used to store green hydrogen, either derived as part of a decarbonised H‑CAES process or supplied via Project Union, the National Gas initiative that plans to repurpose and extend parts of the existing 5,000-mile gas transmission network to connect hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and industrial consumers. Costain has decades of experience in designing and delivering complex gas storage infrastructure, working across the full project lifecycle, from concept, investment support, project execution planning, front end design, and planning development, to consent, project delivery, and asset and operational support. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Three-year contract will see Costain deliver engineering expertise to operations at the Kinneil Terminal in Scotland. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has secured a multimillion-pound engineering services contract with INEOS FPS. The contract, covering a minimum of three years, will see Costain deploy its extensive engineering expertise to support the optimisation and utilisation of operations at the Kinneil Terminal – a critical piece of the UK’s energy infrastructure. Costain has already been providing end-to-end engineering services at the Kinneil Terminal for more than ten years, having delivered multidisciplinary front-end studies through to detailed design engineering and procurement services for both onshore and offshore assets since 2014. Costain will service the contract from its new Aberdeen office where it continues to serve a growing customer base in the energy sector in Scotland and across the UK. Sean Close, energy resilience director at Costain, commented:“We’ll use our engineering expertise and long record of predictable best-in-class delivery to optimise the performance of Kinneil Terminal. This is critical national infrastructure, and our work will build vital resilience into the UK’s energy system with a safer, more efficient and more reliable terminal. “With our strong and growing presence in the region this contract marks the next chapter in our productive and collaborative relationship with INEOS FPS.” Costain’s energy sector delivers innovation, engineering and construction excellence to solve complex problems facing the UK’s energy infrastructure. It has a long track record of delivering infrastructure solutions in Scotland, including front end studies, asset maintenance and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. Costain has also provided technical consultancy services to Storegga (formerly Pale Blue Dot Energy) in support of the Acorn carbon capture and storage project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Government contract for a groundbreaking hydrogen production facility in Bradford has been signed by project partners N-Gen Energy Solutions and Hygen Energy. The contract, called a Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement, provides the scheme with government subsidies to enable the hydrogen produced to be sold at a rate which is comparable to fossil fuels, such as diesel, for 15 years. Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen is the largest of 11 schemes in the Government’s first Hydrogen Allocation Round, which provides a total of £2 billion of funding to stimulate hydrogen production. The flagship low carbon hydrogen production facility and fuelling station, to be built off Bowling Back Lane in Bradford, will give companies in the area and operators of heavy vehicles access to hydrogen, a cleaner energy source, from 2027. The facility will produce up to 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen per day, enough to power 800 buses and is estimated to be worth £120 million to the local economy and create up to 125 jobs. Hydrogen is a multi-purpose fuel which does not produce carbon when burned, making it compatible with plans for decarbonisation. It can be used as a replacement for natural gas in heating and industrial processes, and for replacing diesel in heavy goods vehicles including buses, trains and lorries. Hydrogen production secures the future of the Birkshall site, off Bowling Back Lane, which has a rich heritage stretching back almost 100 years. It was previously home to three large gas holders, with the site producing and storing gas for use by Bradford’s homes and businesses. The site will comprise hydrogen production, storage and refuelling, with the hydrogen produced through a process known as electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. In a joint statement, Gareth Mills, Managing Director at N-Gen Energy and Kevin Selleslags, Hygen CEO, said: “We are thrilled to reach the milestone of signing the low carbon hydrogen agreement, which takes us a step closer to offering the region’s businesses and heavy transport the opportunity to decarbonise with cleaner, locally produced hydrogen at a competitive price. We’re excited to move to the next phase of building this trailblazing facility.” Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, said: “This government is rolling out hydrogen out at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon. “Hydrogen will help us cut industrial emissions and support Britain’s industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in our industrial heartlands as part of the Plan for Change.” Bradford Council supports the project and believes, as West Yorkshire’s only planned hydrogen production plant, it will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said: “We’re really pleased to see the private sector working with the Government to bring new industry to Bradford. I’m delighted that the contract has now been signed. The scheme will help us bring investment and green jobs to Bradford as well as delivering on our climate change ambitions.” Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’ve declared a climate emergency in West Yorkshire, and we’re committed to net zero by 2038, so I’m delighted that one of the UK’s biggest hydrogen production facilities is right here in Bradford. This investment will play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitions of a greener, more secure region, with higher paid jobs and lower energy bills for future generations.” Neil McDermott, Chief Executive of LCCC said: “Signing this Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement is a key milestone, not only for the Bradford project, but for the development of a thriving hydrogen economy across the UK. Hydrogen has a vital role to play in our transition to net zero, particularly in decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transport and industry. “Through our delivery of the Government’s Hydrogen Business Model, LCCC is proud to provide long-term revenue support that gives investors the confidence to back pioneering projects like this one. We look forward to working with the Bradford team as the project goes from strength to strength, bringing clean energy, economic opportunity and innovation to the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK government has given the go-ahead for the £38 billion Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-term energy strategy. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the final investment decision today, describing the project as a bold step towards building a low-carbon, energy-secure future. While the government will retain a 44.9% stake—making it the largest single shareholder—it will not hold a controlling interest. Other investors include Canada’s La Caisse (20%), Centrica (15%), France’s EDF (12.5%) and US-based Amber Infrastructure (7.6%). The project will be underpinned by a £5 billion loan guarantee from France’s Bpifrance Assurance Export, alongside debt financing led by the UK’s National Wealth Fund. Sizewell C will use the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model, allowing investors to begin receiving returns during construction through levies on UK households and some businesses. This approach shifts financial risk from investors to consumers—a point that has attracted criticism in the past, but one the government views as key to unlocking large-scale infrastructure investment. The project’s estimated capital cost of £38 billion is around 20% lower than that of its sister project, Hinkley Point C, which is running significantly over budget and behind schedule. Sizewell C’s costings have undergone extensive due diligence and peer review, with officials confident that lessons learned from Hinkley will drive efficiency. Early works are already under way on site, with no confirmed date for the start of main construction. At peak, the project is expected to support 10,000 direct jobs and tens of thousands more through its supply chain. Major contractors from Hinkley Point C—including Bouygues-Laing O’Rourke JV (Bylor) and Balfour Beatty—are set to continue their roles at Sizewell C. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ofgem has given its initial approval to a landmark £24bn investment package aimed at transforming Britain’s energy grid and reducing dependence on imported gas. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has provisionally endorsed, subject to consultation, a programme of 80 infrastructure projects focused on new power lines and substations. The investment forms part of the biggest overhaul of the UK’s electricity network since the 1960s. More than £15bn of the proposed funding is earmarked for maintaining the safety and reliability of the UK’s gas transmission and distribution networks. A further £8.9bn will go directly into strengthening the country’s high-voltage electricity grid, with an additional £1.3bn on standby for rapid deployment. This investment marks the first stage of the RIIO-T3 settlement (April 2026 to March 2031) and will kick off a broader, estimated £80bn infrastructure programme designed to modernise the energy grid. The plan includes upgrading over 4,400 km of overhead lines and adding 3,500 km of new circuits, including offshore developments—doubling what has been delivered over the past decade. If completed as expected, the projects will enable the grid to support up to 126 GW of clean, renewable energy by 2030, alongside increased energy storage and flexible technologies. Over the past six months, Ofgem has closely scrutinised the proposals from electricity transmission owners, National Gas, and gas distribution operators. More than £8bn—around 26% of the original proposals—has been trimmed to ensure the plans offer value for money to consumers. Funding allocations include: Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem Chief Executive, commented: “Britain’s dependence on imported gas has left us vulnerable to global market shocks. Without government support, bills could have soared to £4,000 during the energy crisis.This record investment is vital to building a homegrown energy system—one that protects us from price volatility, strengthens our energy security, and helps stabilise bills.” Brearley emphasised that inaction would cost consumers more in the long term. “Doing nothing is not an option. These 80 projects are an insurance policy for the UK’s energy future. We’ve negotiated a fair deal for investors and consumers alike—and we will hold network operators accountable for delivering on time and within budget.” By March 2031, the estimated cost to billpayers is expected to be around £24 a year, or less than 40p per week. This figure does not include the broader cost savings anticipated from a cleaner, more efficient power system. The draft proposals are now open for consultation, with final decisions due by the end of 2025. However, some energy firms have expressed disappointment, arguing that the scale of ambition should have been greater. SSEN Transmission responded: “Ofgem’s draft determination falls short of the ambitious and financeable framework needed to support transformational grid investment. The methodology does not reflect the real, evidence-based costs of delivering a reliable transmission network in northern Scotland.” Despite these concerns, Ofgem remains confident that the proposed investment strikes the right balance between affordability, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty has been awarded an £833 million contract by Technip Energies to deliver the Net Zero Teesside Power project—set to become the world’s first gas-fired power station equipped with full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The landmark onshore development will include power generation, carbon capture, and compression facilities. Balfour Beatty will work in collaboration with Technip Energies and GE Vernova, supported by technology partner Shell Catalysts & Technologies, to construct a state-of-the-art combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant. The project is led by Net Zero Teesside Power, a joint venture between energy giants BP and Equinor. In addition to the main power station, Balfour Beatty will construct a post-combustion carbon capture system capable of removing up to two million tonnes of CO₂ per year. Once captured, the carbon will be compressed and transported via an offshore pipeline for permanent storage beneath the North Sea by the Northern Endurance Partnership—a joint venture involving BP, Equinor, and TotalEnergies. When completed, the power station is expected to generate up to 742 megawatts of low-carbon electricity—enough to meet the average annual energy needs of over one million UK homes. Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive at Balfour Beatty, said: “Net Zero Teesside Power is an ambitious and pioneering scheme, forging the path towards sustainable infrastructure and establishing the UK as a global leader in clean energy innovation. The project will not only be instrumental in achieving net zero targets but will also stimulate economic growth across the North East, creating thousands of jobs both during construction and for the long term.” This major contract follows the UK Government’s announcement in October 2024 of a £21.7 billion funding commitment for carbon capture and storage projects in the energy, industrial, and hydrogen sectors. Net Zero Teesside Power and the Northern Endurance Partnership received final investment approval in December 2024, paving the way for delivery of this transformative infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SP Energy Networks has awarded supply chain contracts to support a £1.4bn commitment to deliver critical onshore transmission projects across central and southern Scotland and help deliver the Government’s Clean Power 2030 mission. Forming part of a wider £5.4 billion supplier investment programme over the next decade to move the grid forward, the contracts enable SP Energy Networks to build long-term partnerships with UK businesses to rewire the electricity network. It’s part of a multi-billion-pound investment programme to unlock more capacity for new homes, businesses, and clean energy projects, move power around the country more efficiently and significantly reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and boost energy security. To mark the announcement, Nicola Connelly, SP Energy Networks CEO, was joined by Energy Minister, Michael Shanks MP, at an event close to the company’s Glasgow headquarters. Representatives from the successful businesses signed SP Energy Networks’ Delivery Charter, committing to green job creation, positive community impact, and a safe working environment. Nicola Connelly, CEO SP Energy Networks said, “These strategic partnerships give suppliers the confidence to invest in themselves – growing their workforce, opening new offices across the country and creating even greater opportunities for the UK. “This is great news for the UK and Scottish supply chains, with every pound spent directly benefiting central and southern Scotland and its infrastructure for decades to come. “This is a defining moment for our energy future. These contracts are not just about infrastructure—they’re about enabling a cleaner, greener Britain. We’re proud to be leading the charge in helping deliver the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition.” Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, praised the initiative, saying, “These SP Energy Networks partnerships take us a step closer to reaching clean power by 2030, in modernising the country’s outdated network to get more of clean power generated in Scotland to homes and businesses across the country. “This is the clean power transition in action – investing in British supply chains that will bring skilled jobs and economic growth to communities in Scotland and beyond.” The awarded contracts cover a wide range of critical infrastructure, including: The strategic partnerships will initially run for five years, with the option to extend to 10, providing long-term certainty for suppliers and enabling them to invest in skills, technology, and innovation with 17 of the 19 suppliers based in the UK. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is the sole contractor for both substation and overhead lines on the Denny to Wishaw project. There will be a joint office opening at Eurocentral in the Autumn. Simon Smith, Managing Director, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said, “We’re proud to support the UK energy network’s biggest upgrade in a generation, and to be part of SP Energy Networks’ Delivery Charter. Projects like the Denny to Wishaw Network Optimisation (DWNO) will improve resilience and energy security, boost capacity to meet future demand, and connect Scotland to greener, renewable energy. In upgrading the transmission network, we will be able to bring skills and employment to the central belt, and leave a lasting legacy in the local communities.” The announcement follows ScottishPower’s commitment to double its UK investment to £24 billion by 2028, with two-thirds allocated to electricity networks. SP Energy Networks will soon submit its five-year business plan for 2026–2031 to Ofgem, reinforcing its role in delivering the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Murphy has been awarded the largest substation project currently underway in the UK, following a multimillion-pound contract win from National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The project involves the construction of a major new substation at Uxbridge Moor in Buckinghamshire, adjacent to NGET’s existing Iver substation. The new infrastructure is set to play a key role in meeting the growing demand for electricity in west London and will enable new customers to be connected to the national grid. Leveraging its in-house capabilities and direct delivery model, Murphy will carry out the full range of works at the new substation. This includes the construction of both a 400kV and a 132kV substation, underground cabling, ancillary buildings, and modification works to the existing 400kV overhead line network. The 132kV substation will be connected via underground cables. The project also includes major civil works, such as the development of a 1.2km raised access road from the A412 and a new road bridge over the River Alder Bourne, further enhancing site accessibility. A key feature of the project is its use of gas-insulated substation technology, which allows for a significantly smaller site footprint—up to 70% less than a conventional substation. This will help minimise environmental impact and disruption to the surrounding area. Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy, said: “Since 1951 Murphy has been a leading provider of innovative and integrated energy solutions – today we support groundbreaking transmission and distribution projects across the four countries in which we work. “We are proud to be delivering this project in the UK’s capital and building on our strong working relationship with National Grid to help to ensure energy security for decades to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
