As an electrical engineer and member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, I’ve spent over two decades working on projects that power homes, connect communities and support the industries that keep Britain moving.
But what we’re delivering in the North East of Scotland right now feels different. It’s 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.
This level of investment in our national grid hasn’t 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’s announcement of a £5.4bn investment programme to upgrade the UK’s 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.
One of our most ambitious undertakings is the Beauly to Peterhead 400kV overhead line. Spanning approximately 192km, it’s the longest and most complex transmission route we’ve ever built. This line is a critical part of a £20bn ASTI framework supporting offshore wind and HVDC connections across Scotland. Building these strategic links presents technical challenges but we’re uniquely positioned to tackle them with our supply‑chain network, specialist knowledge in this area, and the talent and skills to deliver at pace.
Just west of Peterhead, a major milestone in the UK’s 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 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.
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.