SSEN Transmission has officially unveiled a new £17m warehouse in Inverness designed to bolster the efficiency of Scotland’s high-voltage electricity network.
Built by Beauly-based Global Infrastructure (Scotland) Ltd, the new storage facility (pictured) is located at Inverness Airport Business Park and will be used to support the safe operation of the north of Scotland’s transmission network.
Covering 7500 square metres, the warehouse includes heavy lifting and storage facilities to allow SSEN Transmission to keep the network operating, with enhanced security and monitoring in place around the site.
The warehouse, the majority of which was built by contractors from the Highlands, is strategically positioned to optimise logistics and support SSEN Transmission’s expanding transmission network across the north of Scotland.
SSEN Transmission said the launch marks a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to supporting Scotland’s clean power ambitions and advancement towards net-zero emissions, while also ensuring the transmission network is made more resilient and reliable.
It is the first of two such warehouses for SSEN Transmission, with the second in Dundee’s Claverhouse East Industrial Estate set to be completed later this year.
SSEN Transmission’s lead project manager John Baillie said: “We’re pleased to see the new Inverness warehouse come to fruition after just under two years of construction.
“The new operations warehouse represents a crucial investment in our infrastructure, and provides us with state-of-the-art facilities, security and monitoring systems which will support us to effectively manage and maintain the high-voltage electricity transmission network.
“The completion of this project would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our contractor Global Infrastructure, based in Beauly, who have delivered this project alongside our teams safely and to the highest standard.
“We’re also delighted that the majority of this £17m project has been constructed using contractors from the Highlands, which underlines how SSEN Transmission is committed to investing in the north of Scotland – with more such investments in the pipeline via our £20bn Pathway to 2030 programme of network improvements.”
David MacDonald, managing director at Global Infrastructure (Scotland) Ltd, said the company was “extremely proud” to deliver the project.
“This flagship facility not only supports the north’s electricity network and Scotland’s transition to net zero, but also showcases the capabilities of our Highland-based team and supply chain,” he said.
“We’re delighted to have delivered it to the highest standards of safety and quality, and it stands as a testament to the strong collaboration across all parties involved.”
The Pathway to 2030 programme is a series of projects aimed at supporting clean power targets and increasing the country’s energy security.
It includes the development of new overhead lines, substations, converter stations, and subsea cables.
The programme will support thousands of jobs in the region, both at SSEN Transmission and through the wider supply chain, while delivering more than £100m in community benefit funding for communities located close to new transmission infrastructure.