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SSEN has hailed the opening of a new contractors’ depot in Kirriemuir as the direct result of a multi-billion pound spend on the transmission network, which they said would support 70 Angus jobs.

Construction company Balfour Beatty opened its new hub in the town as a key contractor for the Perth energy giant’s transmission investment programme.

The Logie Industrial Park depot is now inspirational and being leased with local firm Delson Contracts.

SSEN hope to keep it working until at least 2031, they said, which when fully operational would have the capacity to support 70 construction and office-based jobs.

The site is currently 2.5 acres, and the facility will expand to 16 acres as activity increases.  It offers office space, storage, and laydown areas for materials used across SSEN Transmission’s projects.

This includes the controversial 400kV overhead line between Kintore and Tealing.

Angus residents fighting SSEN Transmission’s plan to run the line of “super pylons” through the area have been calling for a public inquiry into the project.

SSEN Transmission has responsibility for the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland, investing in and maintaining the high voltage 132kV, 220kV, 275kV and 400kV electricity transmission network.

Balfour Beatty are one of the key contractors for the Angus projects.

SSEN Transmission’s programme director Caryn Jack said: “The opening of this new depot in Kirriemuir represents another step forward for our electricity transmission investment programme.

“By working in partnership with Balfour Beatty and local businesses like Delson Contracts, we’re not only enabling the delivery of critical electricity infrastructure but also creating long-term opportunities that benefit the Angus community.”

Tony Wilson, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s power transmission and distribution business, added: “The opening of our new depot in Kirriemuir marks a significant milestone in our partnership with SSEN Transmission.

“This facility not only strengthens our ability to deliver critical electricity infrastructure but will also create meaningful employment opportunities for the local community.

“We are proud to work alongside local businesses as we continue to contribute to the long-term growth of the Angus region.”

Earlier this month, Angus councillors voted unanimously to reject and official recommendation that the local authority should not object to the pylon project.

The 400kV OHL development is a key strand of SSEN’s £20 billion Pathway to 2030 net-zero programme – the pylons would average 57 metres in height along the near 70-mile route.

People living in the Kintore to Tealing corridor have fought the energy giant’s multi-million-pound scheme since it was announced two years ago.

Its majority owner is SSE.

This article appeared in The Courier on 25 November 2025