The firm joins other selected suppliers to perform substation work providing the design, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of substations in Scotland. The framework includes a tranche of capital projects and new renewable grid connections to be delivered over the next five years.

The work will support SSEN Transmission over the RIIO T2 regulatory period and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy by preparing the network for net zero whilst maintaining safety, reliability and security of supply.

This follows the announcement in 2021 that Burns & McDonnell had been selected by National Grid for a similar substation framework and selected by SSEN Transmission to deliver projects under its new protection and control (P&C) design framework. The P&C design framework will support the growth of SSEN Transmission’s high voltage electricity transmission networks across the north of Scotland as it accommodates new connections and renewable energy sources.

The contract with SSEN Transmission continues the growth of Burns & McDonnell in the UK and adds to the portfolio of work it is taking on. The business, which has been operating in the United States for 125 years, opened its first European office in Birmingham in 2017. Since then, the team in the UK has more than tripled in size. It added a business practice in London focusing on mission-critical projects in 2020 and opened its new Scottish office in June 2022.

Jonathan Chapman, UK managing director of Burns & McDonnell, said: “I’m proud that SSEN has chosen to partner with us on a second major framework, and I’m looking forward to working closely with its teams. SSEN Transmission is at the forefront of the U.K.’s transition to net zero, and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to support its work to deliver a sustainable and reliable network.”