Balfour Beatty has secured a contract to install 68km of high voltage direct current land cables from Fraisthorpe Sands to Drax in Yorkshire as well as an additional 1km of HVDC land cable at Peterhead in Scotland.

The contract forms part of the 2GW electrical ‘superhighway’ cable link project known as The Eastern Green Link 2.

Main works are expected to commence in early 2025, with completion scheduled for 2029. At construction peak, the project is expected to employ 140 people.

The cables will be installed underground, to reduce the visual impact of the scheme protecting the landscapes across East Riding of Yorkshire and Peterhead.

The cables will connect to new converter stations located at either end of the cable, which will convert offshore wind farm energy.

Tony Wilson, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission and Distribution business, said: “With a proven track record of working on complex cabling projects, this contract further demonstrates our leading role in delivering the vital infrastructure needed to reinforce the energy sector.

“Our experience and deep domain knowledge positions us perfectly to complete these latest works for the project, which will power around two million homes and businesses, supporting the UK’s transition to clean energy.”

Balfour Beatty’s selection further bolsters its portfolio of nationally critical power transmission and distribution projects including the firm’s recent appointment to deliver the £363m Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement scheme.