SSE awards £39m overhead power line contracts

UTILITY group SSE has awarded contracts worth £39 million to replace overhead power lines in the Highlands.

The Perth-based firm said the work, handed out by its Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission arm, will begin next month and will include the replacement of two 16-mile lines between 
Beauly and Mossford with a single high-capacity line.

Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has been chosen to carry out the overhead lines work, while J Murphy & Son has secured the cable contract.

SSE’s director of transmission, David Gardner, said: “The existing tower lines have been in place for around 60 years and have served the area well, but with more renewable generators wishing to connect to the grid, it is now time for an upgrade.

“By placing these contracts now, we are aiming for completion of the line by the end of 2015 with further reinstatement works being completed in 2016.”