New £7.4bn supply chain framework launched to support local businesses and regional growth

Member News

PRESS RELEASE
18 June 2026
New £7.4bn supply chain framework launched to support local businesses and regional growth
​
Framework opportunity worth up to £7.4bn over the next eight years
Dedicated opportunity for civils projects up to £10m, split by region to maximise local opportunities
Designed to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), local suppliers and to boost regional economic growth
Central to delivering SSEN Transmission’s £29 billion investment programme 
SSEN Transmission has launched a major new supply chain framework, creating significant opportunities for suppliers across the north of Scotland and beyond, with a strong focus on supporting local businesses and regional economies.

The multi-billion-pound framework will support the delivery of critical infrastructure projects as part of SSEN Transmission’s £29 billion investment programme to upgrade the electricity transmission network. This will help deliver clean, homegrown power to homes and businesses while supporting clean power and energy security ambitions.

Covering a broad range of onshore transmission works, including civils, building construction, overhead lines and underground cable installation, the framework is expected to enable up to £7.4bn of investment. This will support essential network upgrades and new connections needed for a secure, cleaner and more affordable energy system.

Paul Leddie, Director of Procurement and Commercial at SSEN Transmission, said:
“This framework represents another key step in building the strong, capable and resilient supply chain we need to deliver our investment plans at pace. It creates a broad range of opportunities across our programme and, through a dedicated regional pathway for civils works, opens the door for local businesses and smaller suppliers to play a direct role in delivering critical infrastructure across the north of Scotland.”

The framework is structured across six lots, aligning activities to contractor capability and project complexity, while enabling both regional participation and delivery at scale.
Lot 1 – Civils up to £10m (regional): enabling works and access infrastructure
Lot 2 – Civils over £10m (national): complex, multidisciplinary civils packages
Lot 3 – Buildings and infrastructure: design and construction of operational buildings
Lot 4 – Overhead line (OHL) pole construction: design and build of pole-based lines
Lot 5 – OHL tower construction: design and build of lattice tower lines
Lot 6 – Underground cable construction: design and installation of cable systems
A key feature is Lot 1, which has been designed to encourage greater participation from local suppliers and smaller businesses.

Unlike other lots, Lot 1 is split into regional zones, allowing contractors to bid for specific areas and helping ensure opportunities are accessible to locally based businesses across the north of Scotland.

These projects typically include standalone or enabling works such as access tracks, foundations, drainage, public road improvements, peatland restoration and environmental mitigation.

By structuring the framework in this way, SSEN Transmission aims to:
create more accessible entry points for SMEs and regional suppliers
support the growth of skilled local workforces
strengthen regional supply chains
maximise the economic benefits of investment within communities 
This approach reflects a wider commitment to delivering regional economic benefit and maximising local content, with procurement strategies focused on ensuring investment translates into tangible outcomes for local areas.

Supporting jobs, skills and economic growth The framework forms part of SSEN Transmission’s wider investment programme, supporting jobs, skills and economic growth across the UK, particularly in Scotland.

By engaging early and working collaboratively with suppliers, SSEN Transmission is building long-term partnerships to deliver complex infrastructure while creating lasting community benefits.

This approach is underpinned by a more collaborative, forward-looking supply chain model, providing greater visibility of future work and enabling suppliers to invest with confidence.

Open to new and existing suppliers The framework is open to both existing partners and new suppliers. SSEN Transmission encourages organisations of all sizes, particularly those based across Scotland, to explore the opportunity.

Suppliers can access the tender documents via the Jaggaer procurement portal until Thursday 16 July.

For more information, visit SSEN Transmission’s supply chain webpage. 
NOTES TO EDITOR
​
ABOUT SSEN TRANSMISSION

Headquartered in Perth, with offices in Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow, we own, operate and invest in the high-voltage electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland.

Our network consists of underground and subsea cables, overhead lines on wooden poles or steel towers, and electricity substations and converter stations. It extends over a quarter of the UK’s land mass, crossing some of its most challenging terrain.

Our first priority is to provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity to our communities. We do this by taking electricity from generators and transporting it over long distances through our network for onwards distribution to homes and businesses in villages, towns and cities across Great Britain.

We are also helping to deliver Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power targets by investing in new and upgraded electricity transmission network infrastructure. This is required to connect and transport more renewable energy to the grid, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy.

SSEN Transmission is owned 75% by SSE plc and 25% by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’).

Learn more about the business by visiting www.ssen-transmission.co.uk or by following us on LinkedIn.
PRESS CONTACTS

Email media@sse.com or call 0345 0760 530.