United Infrastructure Welcomes SSE plc Board and SSEN Transmission Senior Leaders to the Argyll 275kV Project

United Infrastructure welcomed the senior board from SSE plc and SSEN Transmission Senior leadership to the Argyll 275kV project for a presentation and site visit focused on construction progress, safety performance and the next phase of delivery.

The visit provided SSE plc & SSENT an opportunity to review progress across the wider Argyll and Bute 275kV reinforcement programme, including the new substation at Creag Dhubh and the overhead line infrastructure being delivered to strengthen the region’s electricity transmission network. The investment will help enable future renewable generation connections, improve network resilience and support the UK and Scottish Governments’ clean power and energy security ambitions.

The day included a visit to the Creag Dhubh substation site, followed by a United Infrastructure presentation covering overhead line construction progress, recent milestones, safety performance and the upcoming stringing works. The delegation then visited the Cladich DWPZ (Drinking Water Protection Zone) to view the installation of a foundation first-hand and discuss the controls being applied to deliver the works safely across challenging terrain and within this environmentally sensitive area.

Attendees included:

• John Manzoni – Chair of SSE plc
• Rob McDonald – Managing Director, SSEN Transmission
• Joanne McDermott – Director of Health & Wellbeing SSEN Transmission
• Paul Cooley- Director of Onshore Capital Delivery SSEN Transmission
• James McColl- Lead Project Director, SSEN Transmission
• David Fraser- Project Director, SSEN Transmission
• Mark Downes- Project Director, United Infrastructure
• Bob Ryan- Project Health & Safety Manager, United Infrastructure

The visit followed the successful assembly and erection of 30 galvanised steel lattice towers on the Argyll 275kV Overhead Line project – an important milestone that demonstrates the progress achieved by United Infrastructure’s Power T&D team and its supply chain partners. Stringing works are due to commence in September 2026, marking the next major phase of the works.

Campbell Crawford, Managing Director, Power T&D, commented:

“The visit provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the progress being made across the Argyll 275kV project and, above all, the strength of the safety culture that underpins our delivery. The successful erection of 30 towers and achievement of 1,000 LTI-free days are significant milestones, made possible by the commitment of our project teams, supply chain partners and our close collaboration with SSEN Transmission. As we move into the next phase of works, including the commencement of stringing, safety will remain our highest priority as we continue delivering this critical infrastructure responsibly and efficiently.”

Together, the two new overhead line routes extend for approximately 13.3 kilometres and 8.9 kilometres and when complete will incorporate 97 galvanised steel lattice towers. Each tower will carry two circuits and include optical fibre ground wires, enhancing both network resilience and communications capability. The routes will form a new high-voltage corridor from the Argyll region, connecting with existing 275kV infrastructure and multiple substation tie-in points across the peninsula.

The day also provided an opportunity to recognise the project’s achievement of 1,000 consecutive Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free days. This milestone reflects the sustained commitment of the workforce, project leadership and supply chain to maintaining high standards of planning, supervision and safe delivery.

Very positive feedback was received following both the project presentation and the subsequent site visit, with recognition for the professionalism of the team, the progress achieved and the clear focus on safety and collaborative delivery.

Joanne McDermott, Director of Safety, Health & Wellbeing, SSEN Transmission, commented:

“Thank you to United Infrastructure for having us on site. It was great to see the progress of the project and the team so engaged on safety. The site was well organised with high-risk activities effectively managed and there was a clear sense of pride in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.”

As construction continues, United Infrastructure remains focused on safe and responsible delivery, minimising environmental impact, maintaining proactive engagement with stakeholders and maximising local economic and social value. Through its close partnership with SSEN Transmission and the wider supply chain, the project is helping deliver the resilient electricity infrastructure required to support Scotland’s transition to a cleaner, more secure energy future.