Balfour Beatty has begun work with SSEN Transmission on the development of nine Electricity Transmission projects across the north of Scotland. The work forms part of SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme, to which Balfour Beatty was appointed in August 2023. This first phase of works will see
£3.5 million is being awarded in Round 4 of the Government’s Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) to 20 local authorities, housing associations, NHS trusts, universities and private sector organisations. The funding aims to improve the performance of heat networks, so they provide better services to their customers, increased efficiency and
Leading independent energy developer Balance Power today announces it has secured planning approval for a 40MW battery storage project in Cheshire. The project, located in Cheadle, will store renewable energy at times of peak generation and export it back on to the grid when demand is high, balancing intermittency and
ScottishPower today marks reaching a special £40million fundraising milestone for its long-standing charity partner Cancer Research UK as employees share their stories and call for more to be done to help beat cancer. The green energy company, its customers and staff have supported Cancer Research UK since 2012 in its
Leep Utilities has been appointed as a partner of Persimmon Homes New Appointments and Variants (NAV) adoption framework. The UK leading owner and operator of last-mile utility networks will now own, maintain and operate the clean and wastewater networks for the housebuilder’s new developments across England. By introducing the new framework, Persimmon Homes
The Office for Nuclear Regulation, along with the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, has started a two-step Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for GE Hitachi’s BWRX300 reactor. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero made the request to the regulators following its readiness review of the GE Hitachi application. This review concluded that
The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), delivered by Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management on behalf of the Government, delivers an additional £80.6 million to heat networks in London, the South West and the North of England. Funding is being awarded to projects harnessing waste heat energy from industry and
To advance the UK’s journey toward achieving net zero, Energy & Utility Skills is proud to announce the establishment of the Power Generation Group within the National Skills Academy for Power (NSAP). This initiative strategically aligns with the needs of the renewable sector within the power generation industry. Power generation
The world’s longest land and subsea interconnector started commercial operations at the end of December last year (2023). National Grid’s new Viking Link electricity interconnector became operational this afternoon transporting power between the UK and Denmark. The link has a capacity of 1.4 GW and stretches for 475 miles under land
Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, shares insights into the rapidly evolving energy transition in a special video interview series filmed at COP 28 in Dubai. Watch here Youssef Merjaneh Senior Vice President & Managing Director – Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Deepa Poduval, Senior
Balfour Beatty has begun work with SSEN Transmission on the development of nine Electricity Transmission projects across the north of Scotland. The work forms part of SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme, to which Balfour Beatty was appointed in August 2023. This first phase of works will see Balfour Beatty provide technical solutions for: During this initial phase of works, Balfour Beatty will provide its expertise to support SSEN Transmission to identify and resolve any potential construction challenges, streamline the planning process, advise on the best use of materials, plan the phasing of work to ensure optimal productivity and scope out the use of modern methods of construction. In addition, and as a result of this level of early contractor involvement and the long-term nature of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme , Balfour Beatty will strategically map the talent required to deliver the nine projects, enabling the company to invest in capability and expertise, and provide long-term career opportunities to people in the surrounding area, including Apprenticeship and Graduate roles as part of the company’s commitment to The 5% Club. This award marks the first step in the delivery of the onshore transmission infrastructure required for SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ programme, which will contribute to securing future energy independence by enabling the connection and transportation of affordable, homegrown, low carbon power. Steve Tarr, Balfour Beatty’s Chief Executive Officer of Transport, Energy and Power Major Projects said: “As the largest power transmission contractor in the UK, we have a key role to play in realising the UK and Scottish Government’s ambitious renewable energy targets. “This early-stage collaboration is incredibly exciting for all of us at Balfour Beatty, as it will allow us to bring our knowledge, built and fostered over 100 years, to the fore of these ambitious schemes to drive efficiencies and speed up the construction programme.” Tony Scott, Director of Capital Development and Delivery said:“We’re delighted to have Balfour Beatty working with us to help deliver our ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme. “At SSEN Transmission we have a longstanding relationship with Balfour Beatty and the knowledge and experience that they will bring will prove invaluable in helping to deliver the critical national infrastructure that is needed to make net zero a reality.” As part of the Early Contractor Involvement phase, which is currently underway with over 100 people from across Balfour Beatty involved, work will start in Spring of this year. Main construction is expected to commence in 2026, with energisation of all nine projects expected by 2030. Construction contracts for these nine projects are expected to be awarded from the end of 2025 into 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£3.5 million is being awarded in Round 4 of the Government’s Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) to 20 local authorities, housing associations, NHS trusts, universities and private sector organisations. The funding aims to improve the performance of heat networks, so they provide better services to their customers, increased efficiency and reduced energy costs. This latest announcement of £3.5 million will positively impact 25 heat networks across England and Wales, benefiting 5,700 residents, including students, hospital patients, and other private and public sector occupants. This brings the total funding awarded under HNES to over £28 million. Notably, the news comes as the scheme celebrates its one-year anniversary since opening for applications in February 2023. Furthermore, capital grant funding will result in annual carbon savings of over 422 tCO2e per year over the next 40 years, equivalent to removing the annual emissions of 172 diesel-powered cars, or 6,883 across 40 years. Revenue grant funding will also enable optimisation studies, identifying opportunities for additional carbon savings in the coming years. Swan Housing, an East London and Essex-based housing association, is among the recipients, being awarded almost £700,000 from HNES for the Bow Cross Estate heat network in Tower Hamlets. The funding will benefit 543 residents, enabling improvements to the network’s efficiency levels. HNES support aims to reduce heat losses, providing greater comfort and improved resilience, particularly for low income, vulnerable residents and those at risk of fuel poverty. HNES is an integral part of the Government’s broader Heat Network Transformation Programme (HNTP), focusing on developing new heat networks and improving existing ones. This will aim to encourage further investment in the sector and ramp up the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. The scheme provides both capital and revenue funding to optimise inefficient heat networks, enhancing overall performance for the benefit of residents, and ensuring they are futureproofed. Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, has welcomed today’s HNES funding announcement: “Customers living on heat networks need to get the regular, reliable heating and hot water they are entitled to. This important funding will help upgrade inefficient systems, preventing breakdowns and using less energy, while allowing customers to reduce their energy bills and keep their homes warm. It’s part of our plan to ensure every home in the country can cut their energy use and save money on their bills.” Louise Singleton, Principal Consultant at Gemserv, added: “We’re pleased to announce the success of Round 4, with a significant funding allocation of £3.5 million, just as we celebrate the scheme’s one year anniversary. The diverse range of projects funded in this round is something we are particularly proud of, with the funding set to deliver heightened heat network efficiency for residents in social housing, those within the NHS and students at universities across England and Wales. Funding delivered under HNES plays a crucial role in supporting the transformation of older heat networks into resilient, low carbon heating solutions, strategically preparing for upcoming sector regulations in 2025.” Below is a summary of the projects which have successfully secured HNES funding in Round 4. Capital Grant Funding Capital grant funding will go directly towards covering the cost of operational works to improve the efficiency of existing heat networks. In this round, over £3 million will directly improve the efficiencies of heat networks serving 3,101 residents. Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers Bow Cross Estate Swan Housing Association has been awarded £686,296 for improvements works on the Bow Cross Estate heat network. This funding will be matched with significant additional investment by Swan Housing Association. It will support upgrading the primary heat network pipework and the distribution pumps and control systems at the energy centre. Taken together, these works will mitigate heat losses, enhance network efficiency, and improve overall system resilience, benefitting residents. Local Authorities Philpot Square Heat Network The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has been awarded £754,609 for the Philpot Square heat network. The project involves a full upgrade of the network covering the plant room, distribution systems and apartments. New inverter driven pumps, a pressurisation and expansion system, a plant room buffer vessel, new distribution pipework with improved insulation, Heat Interface Units and Thermostatic Radiator Valves will be installed. This will eliminate service interruptions, improve efficiency levels and allow residents to be billed based on usage rather than a fixed fee. Spedan Close Heat Network The London Borough of Camden has been awarded £659,641 for the Spedan Close Heat Network. The project involves a complete upgrade of the whole network to address extremely high numbers of service interruptions. Work will cover the plant room, distribution systems and dwellings, including the installation of inverter driven pumps, distribution pipework with improved insulation, Heat Interface Units and Thermostatic Radiator Valves. This will improve efficiency levels and ensure residents only pay for the heat they use. Private Sector Greenwich Millennium Village Switch2 has been awarded £773,178 for the Greenwich Millennium Village (West) heat network to install 435 new Heat Interface Units, as well as to upgrade insulation on part of the primary network and replace automatic air release valves. This will reduce unplanned outages, improve network performance as well as reduce maintenance costs. First Central First Central Heating Company Limited has been awarded £192,562 for the First Central heat network. Funding will support the introduction of an improved control strategy across the network, replacement of the degasser and pressurisation systems and distribution pumps. It is expected that these works will improve system reliability, reduce heat losses and significantly reduce carbon emissions. Revenue Grant Funding Projects across England and Wales in Round 4 have also been awarded over £413,000 of revenue grant funding to undertake optimisation studies to review the performance of their heat networks and identify areas for improvement. The following organisations have been awarded revenue grant funding for optimisation studies: Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, for the Hollyhedge Court Road heat network. Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Limited, for The Strand Community Hub and social housing heat network. Thirteen Group Limited, for
Leading independent energy developer Balance Power today announces it has secured planning approval for a 40MW battery storage project in Cheshire. The project, located in Cheadle, will store renewable energy at times of peak generation and export it back on to the grid when demand is high, balancing intermittency and providing grid stability for around 90,000 homes. This will be crucial as the UK transitions towards net zero and renewable power plays an increasing role in the country’s energy mix. Staffordshire Moorlands Council unanimously voted in favour of the project after Balance Power conducted extensive community engagement and received no objections to the project from members of the public. Balance Power worked closely with the community, town council and local district councillors in Staffordshire Moorlands during a period of consultation, listening to their views and addressing any concerns about the project. By enabling more renewable power onto the grid, the Cheadle project will lead to the avoidance of around 5,500 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off the road. The project has also been designed to produce a biodiversity net gain of 61% for habitats and 15% for hedgerows, bringing wider environmental benefits and safeguarding existing wildlife. This forms part of Balance Power’s commitment to finding clean energy solutions to meet communities’ power needs whilst creating positive environmental impacts. The storage facility is due to be operational in 2028, with construction planned to begin as early as 2026. After its 40 year lifecycle the project will be decommissioned, and the site will be returned to its former use and condition. Dan Levy, Planning Lead at Balance Power, said: “We’re extremely excited about securing planning permission for this battery storage facility. Not only will it make a significant contribution to Staffordshire Moorlands achieving its objectives to be carbon neutral by 2030, and bring new clean energy infrastructure to the area, but battery storage is also essential for the UK’s transition to net zero. It’s crucial in diversifying the energy network and reducing the need for fossil fuel technologies. We’re also really proud to have received unanimous support from Staffordshire Moorlands and for the strong support we also received from Cheadle Town Council and nearby residents.” Balance Power has led the way in decentralised energy projects since 2017, working with landowners, communities, and councils in the UK to decarbonise in line with national targets. It has now taken nearly 40 energy projects through to planning consent, creating 426MW of capacity to support the grid. With a further 1.4GW+ of projects under development, Balance Power has a growing pipeline nationwide and is leading the way in engineering a new energy landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ScottishPower today marks reaching a special £40million fundraising milestone for its long-standing charity partner Cancer Research UK as employees share their stories and call for more to be done to help beat cancer. The green energy company, its customers and staff have supported Cancer Research UK since 2012 in its mission to help create a world where people can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer. Through a wide range of fundraising initiatives, it has been a key backer of the charity’s pioneering research and the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses in the UK. Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving lives through research. The charity’s work on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Recent events have shown that cancer can affect anyone. Almost 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetimes, and Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen cancer survival in the UK double in the last 50 years. One of those people to benefit from research is ScottishPower employee Mark McDowell. Mark’s life changed forever in 2018 when he was diagnosed with stage four cancer in his tonsil and liver. Mark McDowell, Head of IT Architecture at ScottishPower, said: “I was only 41 years old and I had been living a healthy life, so my chances of recovery from tonsil cancer were good. That was until I went for a PET scan and it showed things weren’t as positive as we first thought. The specialist’s face fell when they realised cancer had spread to my liver, and I was told my chance of survival was nearer 20% than 95%.” Mark was quickly referred to specialists in London and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. He was treated with a complex combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and keyhole surgery. He was in the Beatson for eight weeks supported by a brilliant team of specialist doctors, nurses and radiographers amongst other medical experts. Thanks to their care, in April Mark plans to celebrate his fifth year without cancer. “I felt lucky to be alive as I’ve seen so many people lose their lives to cancer – family, friends and colleagues. Cancer can affect anyone, with nearly one in two people in the UK diagnosed with it during their lifetime. “Cancer is a highly complex disease and in the past it was often a death sentence – that’s why fundraising for life-saving research is so important. The medical advances in radiotherapy, PET and keyhole surgery saved my life but they’re things you don’t think about until you need them. “We need charities like Cancer Research UK and their super star researchers to have the funding, investment and resources to find new treatments and cures.” Dr Claire Paterson is a clinical oncologist and radiotherapy researcher partly funded by Cancer Research UK. At the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow, she is working on ways to improve radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer like Mark’s. To date, Cancer Research UK has invested £42.3 million in RadNet – a network of seven research centres dedicated to radiotherapy research, including the RadNet Glasgow Centre which supports Claire’s research. She said: “We can target cancer far more precisely now, which makes treatment more effective and kinder for patients than it used to be decades ago. We hope that we can continue to make further improvements with more research. “Mark’s story shows how painstaking research, conducted over many years, and advances in treatment can save lives. Cancer Research UK can only support large scale research programmes with generous donations and ScottishPower have raised a huge amount of money to support the charity’s vital mission.” ScottishPower raises money through initiatives including its Help Beat Cancer energy tariff, employee and customer fundraising, as well as sponsorship of Race for Life events across the UK and Stand Up To Cancer campaigns. Every penny raised through these initiatives contributes towards Cancer Research UK’s vision for a better future. ScottishPower employee Ellie Cookhas joined hundreds of recent recruits to raise money for the charity. After losing her gran to lung cancer and supporting her dad through skin cancer, Ellie is getting a team together for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life fundraising event at Glasgow Green in May. Ellie Cook, a Marketing Graduate at ScottishPower, said: “Fundraising hits differently when it’s so close to home – that’s why I’m getting a 10K team together for Race for Life and challenging myself to train for it. This is something that affects us all. We’re raising money for lifesaving cancer research so family, friends and colleagues are really happy to sponsor us.” Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years. ScottishPower is helping Cancer Research UK achieve this ambition with its fundraising efforts. Andrew Ward, CEO of ScottishPower’s customer business, said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved for Cancer Research UK through our long-standing partnership. We started this journey with them in 2012 with the aim of raising £5million in three years and to have our incredible employees, suppliers and customers go on since then to raise £40million for life-saving research is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s clear to us that everybody values the ability to support the charity, all who have been involved should also be proud of their efforts in raising such a fantastic amount of money. “Knowing the difference our partnership has made since it first began and how it has contributed to creating a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer personally means so much to me. Both Mark and Ellie really bring the impact of the partnership alive through their own experiences and really show just how vital the funds being raised
Leep Utilities has been appointed as a partner of Persimmon Homes New Appointments and Variants (NAV) adoption framework. The UK leading owner and operator of last-mile utility networks will now own, maintain and operate the clean and wastewater networks for the housebuilder’s new developments across England. By introducing the new framework, Persimmon Homes will ensure that all its regional offices will work only with pre-approved partners to obtain asset values – ensuring consistency and transparency of offers and adherence to pre-agreed terms. Leep Utilities – the UK’s largest adoption-only NAV – has already been awarded multiple projects by housebuilder. The first scheme secured by Leep is The Hawthorns – a development of 350 two, three, four and five-bedroom new homes, part of the Persimmon Eco Range, located just outside Market Harborough, in Leicestershire. It’s being built in line with new Part L regulations and offers a 31% reduction in carbon emissions. After successfully submitting detailed applications to industry regulator Ofwat, Leep has already exceeded the recommended six-month timeframe set for insets to be granted – highlighting the firm’s proactivity, experience and agility during the tender process. Prior to being adopted by Leep, the firm will work in collaboration with Persimmon Homes-appointed Self-Lay Providers (SLPs) who will install the water networks. Leep Networks (Water) Ltd – a subsidiary of Leep Utilities – is already a water and sewerage undertaker for many prestigious UK developments including MediaCityUK, Liverpool International Business Park and Kent’s Chatham Waters. It provides safe and reliable water to 35,000 residential and commercial developments across the UK, managed from its Salford headquarters and Berkshire base. Gus Watt, Group Director of Energy Networks, at Persimmon Homes, said: “Persimmon prioritises engaging with progressive partners who are able to embrace our ambitions as a business. “The success of our communities depends on our approach to utilities management, with framework partners being integral to this through the support and expertise they give to our regional teams and supply chain.” Louise Manfredi, CEO of Leep, said of the partnership: “Working with NAVs brings many cost and service benefits to housebuilders and developers, whilst assisting the overall efficiency of development activity. And this is especially true when delivering multi-utility solutions. “It’s most encouraging to see the growing prevalence of Ofwat-regulated NAVs in the market, which is driving competition and at the same time enabling more efficient housing and commercial development and driving innovation. And what an enviable position we’re now in, operating at the forefront of the water industry and working nationally with a leading housebuilder to increase the UK’s housing supply. “As a recognised 5-Star Builder, by the House Builders’ Federation, Persimmon selects its partners very carefully. With our nationwide scope, we’re able to work collaboratively with all 29 of its UK offices, whilst bringing transparency, best practice and focus when delivering the very best customer journey. It’s all testament to our capabilities, experience and expertise and we look forward to working with Persimmon Homes on more of its developments over the next two years and hopefully beyond.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Office for Nuclear Regulation, along with the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, has started a two-step Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for GE Hitachi’s BWRX300 reactor. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero made the request to the regulators following its readiness review of the GE Hitachi application. This review concluded that the design is ready to enter the GDA process. The GDA will look to actively explore opportunities to maximise the value of international regulatory collaboration and identify efficiencies in processes. Two step GDA explained Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), delivered by Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management on behalf of the Government, delivers an additional £80.6 million to heat networks in London, the South West and the North of England. Funding is being awarded to projects harnessing waste heat energy from industry and sewerage works, whilst heat pumps will provide low carbon heating to buildings in Exeter and London’s Greenwich Peninsula. An abundance of waste energy is generated in various industrial processes as well as in our daily activities. Manufacturing and human waste disposal processes produce waste heat as a byproduct which can be harnessed to produce low-cost, low carbon heating. Today, funding from the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) continues to enable innovative solutions like these to be deployed. Projects across England aim to utilise waste heat from sewage works and industry processes, including Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council who will use heat pump technology to extract waste heat from the combined sewer running into the town centre. Other projects funded today will use heat pump technology to decarbonise existing developments, new build homes and one of London’s flagship new hubs for creativity – the Greenwich Peninsula development. In Exeter, funding from GHNF will support the installation of the UK’s largest high-temperature water source heat pump to distribute low carbon heat to buildings across the city. Ken Hunnisett, Programme Director for Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management, said: “This latest cohort of successful GHNF applicants are proving that the potential for our homes and workplaces to be heated sustainably and affordably by renewable sources or from waste heat from existing infrastructure such as our sewerage works and industry is being realised today. The use of excess heat from local sewage plants is another exemplary heat network model that builds on and utilises existing infrastructure to deliver low carbon heating to local areas. These projects are expected to move quickly into construction, delivering significant immediate benefits to the communities they will serve while providing a blueprint for others to learn from and develop.” Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “These innovative projects will help drive down energy costs while also demonstrating why the UK has led the way in cutting carbon emissions. The funding we’ve announced today will help homes and business across the country – from Exeter to Hull – benefit from greener heating and lower energy bills.” Below is a summary of the projects that have received a share of over £80.6 million to support the commercialisation and construction of sewerage sourced and heat pump focused low carbon heat networks. Greenwich Peninsula ESCO District Heating Network Greenwich Peninsula ESCO Ltd, a Knight Dragon company, has been awarded £4.6 million worth of commercialisation and construction funding for the decarbonisation of the Greenwich Peninsula district heating network. Funding provided by GHNF will unlock low carbon heat for 2,300 existing homes and 7,115 new build homes. Low carbon heat will also be provided to 84,000m2 of existing commercial space, with an additional 10,400m2 new planned commercial space as the development expands. The project will be made possible by a 5MW Air Source Heat Pump installed on the rooftop of the existing Greenwich Peninsula Energy Centre. Steve Yewman, Chief of Staff at Knight Dragon, said: “As part of our ESG strategy, we are committed to investing in Greenwich Peninsula to create a sustainable and resilient community that is built on principles of equity, environmental protection and economic prosperity. We want to ensure the infrastructure that underpins our development supports the lives of the people that choose to live here whilst protecting the environment. We believe this investment will make a positive environmental and social impact and are looking forward to rolling this out as part of our strategy to transition into a net zero carbon business.” Hull East Heat Network Vital Energi Utilities Ltd has been awarded over £22 million for the commercialisation and construction of the Hull East District Heat Network. The heat network presents another innovative use of waste heat from industry, with Phase 1 utilising heat from the Saltend Chemicals Park. The heat network will provide low carbon heating to 14 public sector council buildings and a mixture of industrial customers, helping to decarbonise one of the UK’s industrial hotspots. As part of the network, Hull East are also hoping to secure green solar energy to help power the network whilst feeding energy into other customers across Yorkshire Energy Park, a next generation energy and technology business park currently in development. Construction of the heat network is expected to begin later in 2024, with the heat network capable of expanding to supply further connections and use using other renewable heat sources across the energy park once completed. Managing Director of Vital Energi, Mike Cooke, said: “We’re delighted with the award of the Green Heat Network Funding which will allow us to deliver the Hull East Heat Network. Taking waste heat from Saltend Chemicals Park situated on the Yorkshire Energy Park, we aim to decarbonise commercial and residential buildings across Hull, bringing them closer to a net zero future with low carbon heat and hot water.” Exeter Energy Network Exeter is set to benefit from £42.5 million of funding which has been awarded for a low-to-zero carbon district heat network project in the South West. The Exeter Energy Network will be developed by the 1Energy Group, which is investing an additional £70 million in the project. The heat network will incorporate the UK’s largest high-temperature water source heat pump and will potentially utilise other local sources of waste heat in the Exeter area. This will be installed alongside a minimum of 500m3 of thermal stores to provide additional efficiency and flexibility. Renewable heat will be distributed from an energy centre to buildings across the city via a 20km network of highly insulated underground pipes. The first phase of the project will provide 60GWh of low carbon heat demand annually, expanding to over 90GWh per year as the project develops.
To advance the UK’s journey toward achieving net zero, Energy & Utility Skills is proud to announce the establishment of the Power Generation Group within the National Skills Academy for Power (NSAP). This initiative strategically aligns with the needs of the renewable sector within the power generation industry. Power generation is undergoing significant technological advancements such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), energy from waste, wind, and other renewable sources. These advancements are creating numerous job opportunities, with further anticipated industry growth indicating a requirement for an additional 70,000 skilled professionals within the offshore wind sector alone by 2030. In October 2023, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, produced power for the first time, and upon full operation, it will provide power equivalent to the needs of six million homes. In addition to this, more than 15 million tonnes of residual waste is converted annually by the UK’s Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs), enough to supply half the homes in London for an entire year. Currently, however, many employers express concerns about finding and securing the right talent. The Power Generation Group is taking steps to address these concerns by identifying skill gaps and shortages. They have already recognised the need for a targeted approach in crucial areas within energy from waste, such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage. Specialised skills such as electrical and mechanical engineering, planning and connecting, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), among others, are foreseen as essential to meet the evolving demands of the renewables industry. Stephen Barrett, Director of Membership and Strategic Engagement at Energy & Utility Skills said: “A focus on renewables within the Power Generation Group allows us to support industry by establishing and upholding the necessary training standards, contributing to the UK’s training infrastructure, and addressing the growing demand for upskilling.” In a world where the transition to net zero is of critical importance, the focus on green skills by the Power Generation Group within the National Skills Academy for Power is a significant step forward. This move underscores Energy & Utility Skills commitment to facilitating the UK’s transition towards a more sustainable and greener energy future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The world’s longest land and subsea interconnector started commercial operations at the end of December last year (2023). National Grid’s new Viking Link electricity interconnector became operational this afternoon transporting power between the UK and Denmark. The link has a capacity of 1.4 GW and stretches for 475 miles under land and sea to join Bicker Fen substation in Lincolnshire with Revsing substation in southern Jutland, Denmark. The £1.7 billion project is a joint venture between National Grid and Danish System Operator, Energinet, and has the capacity to transport enough electricity for up to 2.5 million* UK homes, bringing over £500 million of cumulative savings for UK consumers over the next decade* due to cheaper imported power from Denmark. Construction on Viking Link, National Grid’s sixth interconnector, started in 2019, with more than fourmillion working hours spent to get to this point. National Grid’s interconnector business is run by National Grid Ventures (NGV), which operates outside of National Grid’s core regulated businesses in the UK and US. NGV develops, operates and invests in energy projects, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the development of our clean energy future. Viking Link will bring huge benefits for UK consumers including cheaper, lower carbon power and increased energy security as the UK can call on additional power from Denmark when needed. Initially, Viking Link will be operating at a capacity of 800MW before increasing up over time to 1.4GW. National Grid and Energinet will be working together to bring the asset up to full capacity over the coming year. In its first year of operation Viking Link is expected to save approximately 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions – this is equivalent to taking roughly 280,000 cars off the road.* President of National Grid Ventures Katie Jackson said: “This record-breaking new link is a fantastic example of engineering and collaboration with our partner, Energinet. As we deploy more wind power to meet our climate and energy security targets, connections to our neighbouring countries will play a vital role increasing security of supply and reducing prices for consumers. “Stretching further across land and sea than any of our existing links, it connects the UK to clean, green Danish energy, improving security of supply and bringing huge carbon and cost savings for UK consumers.” Viking Link has a converter station on each end of the cable where the power is transformed into the correct frequency before being transported onto each country’s transmission systems. Principal Contractor Siemens Energy built the converter station in the UK while Energinet built the Danish converter station. Siemens Energy have designed, installed and commissioned the electrical assets on both sides. The HVDC offshore cable was manufactured and laid by Prysmian Group. The cable was laid on the seabed using a custom-made vessel The Leonardo Da Vinci which was then buried using Asso trenchers. Prysmian Group manufactured the HVDC land cable, which was installed by Balfour Beatty, the offshore section was manufactured and installed by Prysmian Group in the UK and the Danish land section was manufactured by NKT and installed by Monck. The UK land cable was made up of 118 sections stretching for 67km between Bicker Fen and Sutton-on-Sea where the subsea cable begins. It was connected to the UK’s National Transmission Network by National Grid Electricity Transmission at the existing Bicker Fen substation. Interconnectors enable the fast, flexible sharing of energy between countries, making them the perfect tool for managing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. The switch on was a proud moment for Managing Director of National Grid Interconnectors Rebecca Sedler. She said: “Viking Link is an achievement for both Denmark and the UK, and consumers in both countries will benefit from this infrastructure for many years to come. The hard work and collaboration of our teams, accounting for more than four million labour hours, highlights National Grid’s dedication to the UK’s clean energy transition.” National Grid launched the UK’s first interconnector (IFA) to France in 1986. Since then, it has built five more including a second link with France (IFA2) and further connections with The Netherlands (BritNed), Belgium (Nemo Link) and Norway (North Sea Link). Between 2020 and 2030, National Grid expects its interconnectors will have helped the UK to avoid around 100 million tonnes of carbon emissions and by 2030, 90% of the energy imported through the company’s interconnectors will be from zero carbon energy sources. Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said: “Great news today as the new Viking Link interconnector starts to transport energy between Denmark and the UK, under the North Sea. “The 475-mile cable is the longest land and subsea electricity cable in the world and will provide cleaner, cheaper more secure energy to power up to 2.5 million homes in the UK. “It will help British families save £500 million on their bills over the next decade, while cutting emissions.” Earlier this year (2023) National Grid announced joint plans with TenneT for a new 1.8GW interconnector between the UK and The Netherlands, called LionLink. The link would not only join the two countries but also connect to offshore wind generation. LionLink would be the second link between the two countries and is expected to be operational in the early 2030s. A second new link called Nautilus, is also in the planning phase with the potential to connect with Belgium. Find out more about National Grid Interconnectors, how they work and their role in decarbonising the energy system. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, shares insights into the rapidly evolving energy transition in a special video interview series filmed at COP 28 in Dubai. Watch here Youssef Merjaneh Senior Vice President & Managing Director – Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Deepa Poduval, Senior Vice President, Global Sustainability Leader and Global Advisory Leader; were filmed as part of the COP 28 Leadership Interviews, produced by TBD Media. The two leaders shared their global views on megatrends driving discourse at COP 28. Decarbonization, digitization and a drive for more reliable, resilient infrastructure are reshaping how governments, companies and communities achieve their long-term energy, water and other critical sustainability commitments. The interview touches on Black & Veatch’s own sustainability journey, which included brave but difficult commercial decisions. In 2020, Black & Veatch exited the new-build coal-fired power generation market, which was its largest business outside the United States, walking away from future revenue potential in order to align with its own decarbonization commitments. Black & Veatch has since replaced that revenue potential because this strategic action freed its talented workforce to focus on transforming the energy industry. Today the company is leading clients to deliver established decarbonization solutions such as hydrogen production and storage, battery energy storage, renewable energy, electric vehicle charging as well as delivering infrastructure to produce alternative fuels like green hydrogen, green ammonia and sustainable aviation fuels. Mirroring much dialogue throughout COP 28, the importance of achieving an affordable and fair energy transition was also underlined. Black & Veatch highlighted its work devising financial mechanism on the Climate Investment Fund’s Accelerating Coal Transition (ACT) investment program creating financial mechanism to enable the repurposing of coal facilities. In addition, two Black & Veatch projects across green hydrogen production and coal decommissioning were entered into the Energy Transition Changemakers, a COP28 UAE Presidency initiative. These are among the world’s most cutting edge and transformative energy transition projects. One project is enabling previous unattainable utility and industrial scale storage of renewable energy while the other is establishing a benchmark for how legacy coal infrastructure can be repurposed for renewable energy while creating positive economic and social impacts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
