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Balfour Beatty plc (LSE:BBY) has secured a £363 million contract from National Grid PLC to upgrade power lines across East Anglia, a key initiative to support the UK’s transition to net-zero emissions.
The contract will involve the installation of new overhead and underground cables stretching 18 kilometers above ground and 11 kilometers underground, replacing the current network between Bramford in Suffolk and Twinstead Tee in Essex. The upgraded infrastructure will connect the Bramford substation directly to the Sizewell nuclear power station, enhancing the region's capacity to handle clean energy projects.
Balfour Beatty’s chief executive, Leo Quinn, highlighted the significance of the contract, noting that it reflects the company's growing role in the energy security and transition market. "This award demonstrates the momentum we are capturing in the energy security and transition market," Quinn said. "Our expert teams will deploy their proven capability to deliver cabling works in complex and challenging landscapes."
The upgrade is particularly important as East Anglia faces increased demand for network capacity due to several wind farms located off its coast. National Grid previously indicated the need to expand network capacity in the region from the current 3,200 megawatts to over 15,000 megawatts to accommodate new projects.
The project also includes a commitment to enhancing biodiversity, as part of the underground cables will run beneath the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This aspect of the project underscores Balfour Beatty’s dedication to environmental stewardship in addition to its infrastructure development goals.
Construction for the new power lines is scheduled to begin next year, with the project expected to reach completion by 2028. This major upgrade will play a crucial role in reinforcing the UK’s power grid to support the transition to renewable energy sources.
