BIRMINGHAM, England — Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has selected engineering-led construction firm Burns & McDonnell to be part of its new protection and control engineering framework.

The framework, which will last a minimum of three years, will support the adaption of SSEN’s distribution networks in Scotland and Central Southern England as it accommodates new connections and renewable energy sources. During this period, Burns & McDonnell will support SSEN as it transitions from RIIO-ED1 to RIIO-ED2.

Burns & McDonnell is one of three partners appointed to the framework, providing additional design and engineering support to the SSEN team. The framework will support a tranche of projects to upgrade substations across its networks over the next three years with an option to extend by an additional two years.

Protection and control systems are vital as utilities adapt their electrical infrastructure and move toward having more digital substations in support of the transition to net zero. Burns & McDonnell designed and built the first digital substation in the U.S. and is at the forefront of developing and constructing the technology internationally.

This contract is the second Burns & McDonnell has taken on in Scotland, and it continues the firm’s rapid growth in the U.K. Earlier this year the business won a separate major contract with National Grid to upgrade transmission assets. The firm, which has been operating in the U.S. for over 120 years, opened its first European office in Birmingham in 2017 and has more than tripled in size since then. It established a new business practice focusing on mission-critical projects in 2020 and will soon be opening an office in London to serve the European data centre market.

“This is a pivotal time for SSEN and I’m excited to work closely with their team, supporting the transition from ED-1 to ED-2 and the adaption of the SSEN distribution network,” says Jonathan Chapman, U.K. managing director for Burns & McDonnell. “This is also a critical time for the energy sector more broadly as it moves toward net zero. Our team bring its considerable experience to bear in this specialised area and can support SSEN to deliver their business objectives.”

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a private, employee-owned engineering, design and construction firm with 7,600 professionals in offices throughout the world. We develop solutions through creating passionate partnerships, placing client service front and centre, understanding clients’ needs and working to make them successful. Our employee ownership culture means that our success is closely aligned to our clients’ success. We are bold in how we develop solutions and challenge the norm, drawing from the whole company to find answers to some of the toughest questions. We work on some of the world’s most crucial infrastructure projects, delivering completely integrated service from concept to completion.

In 2017, Burns & McDonnell opened its office in Birmingham. With more than 120 years of experience designing and building infrastructure around the globe, Burns & McDonnell is now advancing a long-term investment plan in the U.K. With the U.K. energy market undergoing a transformation, our focus is on providing a differentiated service across technical consultancy, engineering services and project delivery as the U.K. adapts to a low-carbon future underpinned by smart technologies.