Opportunities for supply chain partners in Scotland for the delivery of new and upgraded critical national infrastructure

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  • The business has launched a five-week pre-qualification process inviting applications from suitable contractors to deliver transmission substation works throughout the RIIO-T3 regulatory period, ongoing network renewal projects and potential future Clean Power 2030 development work in the north of Scotland.  

  • The pre-qualification process for a new framework agreement for substation works at a maximum value of £40m per project - is now open for applications via the Achilles UVDB platform. 

SSEN Transmission has today [27 March] launched a new procurement process, inviting applications from new and existing contractors, for the delivery of key elements of substation development as part of its RIIO-T3 and networks renewals investment programme and beyond.  

The framework agreement open for pre-qualification will reflect SSEN Transmission’s new maximum value for moderate substation works, with the threshold increasing from £20m to £40m – allowing contractors who have already secured work, and new potential contractors, to submit their pre-qualification applications for the delivery of other crucial elements of the company’s substation developments, including associated subsidiary overhead line and underground cable work. 

Framework agreements which will help deliver projects right across the north of Scotland with a combined estimated value of up to £1.4bn are up for grabs, with contractors having been invited to fill out the company’s Pre-Qualification Questionnaire to register their interest and put themselves forward for the works via the Achilles UVDB platform. 

Speaking as the new process was launched, Kevin Smith, Head of Supply Chain at SSEN Transmission, said: 
“As we prepare to deliver the critical national infrastructure across the north of Scotland that is required for the delivery of energy security and clean power targets, it is crucial that we secure the supply chain that is needed – and the launch of our latest procurement process today marks a significant step forward in doing that. 

“We’ve already secured the services of several key supply chain partners, including local companies – and now we’re ready to identify additional delivery partners who will help us with elements of substation work, with contracts of a value up to £40m. 

“As we advance into the delivery phase of our ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme, and anticipate an exciting investment portfolio beyond, introducing new capacity and developing a diverse supply chain are key priorities for us. 

"The work we will be carrying out over the coming years presents a huge economic opportunity for Scotland and for contractors in our supply chain, particularly those who operate in and serve our operating area in the north of Scotland. 

“The application window is open for the next five weeks. If you are a business that has the capability to deliver substation works and associated subsidiary overhead line or underground cable work – contact us through the Achilles UVDB platform now.” 

SSEN Transmission plans to invest at least £22bn between 2026 and 2031 in the infrastructure that is required if Scotland and the UK are to deliver on ambitious energy security and net zero targets – and that will include the development of new substations and several upgrades to existing substations too – supporting up to 8,400 jobs in the north of Scotland. 

A webinar to invite questions, and to introduce the new framework agreement, details of the threshold change and our upcoming work, will be held on Friday 4th April at 10:00am – sign up and submit your questions here. 

Contractors are invited to fill out the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire to register their interest and put themselves forward for these exciting opportunities via the Achilles UVDB platform by 12 noon on Friday 2 May.