Major contract awarded for SSEN's Lewis Hub

A major contract in the development of an energy project in the Isle of Lewis has been awarded by SSEN Transmission.

Surrey-based Linxon UK Ltd has secured a deal worth almost £143m to work on the Lewis Hub sub station, near Stornoway, including design and procurement of equipment.

The site forms part of SSEN Transmission's proposals to connect the Western Isles to Great Britain's transmission network for the first time.

The contract comes less than two months after local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar granted planning permission in prinicple.

SSEN Transmission said the contract would support local jobs.

A spokesperson added: "This contract involves the detailed design of the substation and the procurement of essential specialised equipment that will be crucial during the construction phase."

Linxon UK Ltd specialises in engineering, procurement, management and construction services for projects including sub stations and data centres.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.