SSEN Distribution has launched a £950m framework to upgrade subsea electricity links serving Scotland’s island communities.
The company said the five-year programme, with an option for a three-year extension, will renew and expand the network to improve resilience and increase capacity.
SSEN Distribution added that the framework could support more than 450 specialised jobs each year, sustaining well over 3500 fixed-term roles across partners and its own subsea team.
The programme will help enable connections for technologies such as EV chargers, solar panels and heat pumps, and support island-based industries seeking to decarbonise.
Work will be delivered by Briggs Marine, DOF Subsea UK, N-Sea, Enshore Subsea and Jan De Nul, with projects allocated according to each partner’s expertise.
The company said the multi-partner approach will allow more subsea cables to be installed during short summer weather windows and improve response capability for urgent repairs.
Further upgrades are intended to reduce reliance on island-based backup stations and provide more secure electricity supplies.
Gillian Martin, the Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for energy, said: “This welcome investment by SSEN Distribution will help upgrade the subsea network serving Scotland’s islands, improving its resilience and supporting Scotland’s net zero ambitions.”
She added: “It will also support thousands of high-quality green jobs and drive new growth across the local, regional and national economies as part of our net zero transformation.”
Kevin Galbraith, subsea project director at SSEN Distribution, said: “Subsea connections are becoming ever-more important as Scotland’s island communities seek to invest in EV charging, heat pumps, and the decarbonisation of their industries.”
He added: “The agreements themselves will ensure delivery of this investment will be rolled out in a seamless, co-ordinated way, and this will provide both customers and supply chains with the certainty they’re looking for.”
Craig English, subsea and environmental services director at Briggs Marine Renewables, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded all lots of the SSEN Distribution Supply & Install Subsea Cable Framework.”
Dag Raymond Rasch, EVP Atlantic region at DOF, said: “We’re proud to be awarded this framework with SSEN Distribution for provision of Cable Installation, Repair and Replacement.”
Pierre Boyde, chief executive officer of Enshore Subsea, said: “Enshore is pleased to have been accepted onto the SSEN Distribution subsea cable installation framework agreement.”
Wouter Vermeersch, director subsea cables offshore energy at Jan De Nul, said: “We’re proud to partner with SSEN Distribution through this framework to renew and develop additional subsea electricity links for Scotland’s islands.”
Patrick Defilet, survey business unit director at N-Sea, and Jack Wattel, subsea cables business unit director at N-Sea, said: “We’re delighted to participate in multiple Framework Agreements with SSEN Distribution, supporting a range of disciplines as part of its subsea programme.”