Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has secured a five-year extension to its existing contract with National Grid to maintain and upgrade the UK’s electricity transmission network in an agreement worth up to £750 million.

The contract, involving design, programme management, construction and technical support for National Grid’s electricity network, draws on a wide range of Balfour Beatty resources. It further demonstrates the Group’s infrastructure capabilities, particularly in areas where clients face large and complex challenges.

Balfour Beatty and National Grid formed the Electricity Alliance East (EAE) partnership five years ago to secure the long-term stability of much of the UK network. Work involves the ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of overhead transmission lines, as well as designing and delivering National Grid’s upgrade plans across the network.

During this time, EAE has delivered a number of vital projects to ensure the ongoing security and stability of the UK’s electricity network. These have included the Woodhead Tunnel project, which has provided a new 400kV electricity supply to Greater Manchester, and the Norwich – Walpole overhead line refurbishment, essential for the supply of electricity in and around East Anglia.

Working in partnership with Parsons Brinckerhoff, Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions will continue to provide design, programme management, construction and technical support. Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering will also supply design and construction expertise relating to access and temporary works.

Commenting on the announcement, Balfour Beatty Chief Executive Ian Tyler said:

“National Grid is one of our longest held relationships and we are delighted at their decision to extend the long-term partnership with Balfour Beatty.

“This further reinforces a strong, strategic alliance bringing continuing value as well as ongoing certainty to a core element of the UK’s infrastructure.”