SSEN Transmission has officially opened its cutting-edge £17 million operations warehouse in Inverness, a vital new hub designed to bolster the resilience and efficiency of the north of Scotland’s high-voltage electricity transmission network.
Built by Beauly-based Global Infrastructure (Scotland) Ltd, the new state-of-the-art storage facility is located at Inverness Airport Business Park and will be used to support the safe operation of the north of Scotland’s transmission network.
The 7,500 sqm warehouse includes heavy lifting facilities and storage facilities to allow SSEN Transmission to keep the network operating effectively, with enhanced security and monitoring in place around the new 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.
This milestone 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 by having the spares within easy reach.
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.
“It’s an exciting time as the business continues to expand its crucial operations assets across our network. We’re now turning towards the second of our new strategic warehouses in Dundee, which we look forward to seeing completed later this year.
David MacDonald, Managing Director at Global Infrastructure (Scotland) Ltd, said, “This has been a significant project for Global Infrastructure, and one we’re extremely proud to have delivered. We were fortunate to be appointed at a very early stage in the procurement process, which allowed us to work closely with SSEN Transmission from the outset and help shape the successful delivery of this facility. Throughout the project, we engaged over 20 subcontractors, and all in, around 350 individuals played their part in bringing this facility to life. At peak, we had a workforce of around 90 people per shift on site.
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. 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. We now look forward to continuing our partnership with SSEN Transmission on future critical infrastructure projects, including the delivery of an identical facility in Dundee.”
Commenting, Graham Leadbitter MP said, “The opening is just the latest piece of good news for the area which is still celebrating the recent ‘Best Airport in Europe (under 2 million passengers)” award for Inverness Airport, and is a real vote of confidence in the North of Scotland’s status as an energy powerhouse.
“The investment this project has brought to the area has been a real boost to local people and businesses, and is crucial in building up operational resilience in the transmission network.
“My congratulations and appreciation goes to all those involved in the building and opening of this fantastic facility.”
SSEN Transmission’s new operations warehouses come as the company continues to expand the north of Scotland electricity transmission network by taking forward a £20bn investment known as the Pathway to 2030 programme. The series of projects will help support ambitious clean power targets and increase the country’s energy security, and includes the development of new overhead lines, substations, converter stations, and subsea cables, ensuring a robust and sustainable energy network for future generations.
The programme will support thousands of jobs in the region, both at SSEN Transmission and through the wider supply chain, while delivering an anticipated £100m+ in community benefit funding for communities located close to new transmission infrastructure.
The new Inverness and Dundee warehouses will play a strategic role in supporting the expansion and maintenance of the electricity network.
Learn more about the warehouses here: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/inverness-strategic-spares-warehouse/
Picture credit: SSEN Transmission
- Headline image: Teams from SSEN Transmission and Global Infrastructure Scotland at the new Inverness warehouse. From left to right; SSEN Transmission Lead Project Manager John Baillie, SSEN Transmission Property Portfolio Manager Valerie McMillan, Global Infrastructure Scotland (Ltd) Managing Director David MacDonald, SSEN Transmission Director of Asset Management and Operations Dave McKay, Global Infrastructure Scotland (Ltd) Construction Director Mark Fleming, SSEN Transmission Operations Logistics Manager Innes Turnbull.