Briggs Marine Confirmed as Framework Partner for SSEN Distribution’s Multi‑Year Subsea Programme
Briggs Marine has been selected to support SSEN Distribution’s major multi‑year framework to upgrade and reinforce subsea electricity links serving Scotland’s island communities.
The programme, led by SSEN Distribution, aims to enhance the long‑term resilience of the subsea network and ensure it can meet increasing demand from homes, businesses and low‑carbon technologies including EV chargers.
Supporting Delivery Across the Full Programme
As part of the framework, Briggs Marine will contribute to work across all three key areas, reflecting the company’s breadth of capability in subsea cable projects. This includes full end‑to‑end services — from route surveys, engineering design and consent support, through to cable supply, installation, protection, onshore works, testing, jointing and commissioning. This will support SSEN Distribution in planned cable replacement projects and providing resource and capability for urgent repair works when required.
Briggs Marine will draw on its established marine operations, subsea expertise and ability to deploy vessels and equipment to help SSEN Distribution carry out installations efficiently during available weather windows, ensuring the network remains reliable year‑round.
Building on a Two‑Decade Partnership
The appointment builds on more than 20 years of collaboration between Briggs Marine and SSEN Distribution, including subsea cable installation, inspection, maintenance and emergency repair work across the SSEN Distribution network.
Briggs Marine’s specialist fleet — including the Forth Constructor and Forth Warrior — along with the company’s experienced subsea and HV teams, will be primed and ready to support the new programme from 2027 onwards.
Craig English, Briggs Marine’s Renewables, Subsea & Environmental Services Director said:
“Being selected as a framework partner for SSEN Distribution’s subsea cable framework investment programme is a significant milestone for our subsea division. It reflects the depth of expertise we have developed over more than two decades working alongside the SSEN Distribution subsea team, and the strength of our capability across marine operations, specialist vessels, and HV services. We are committed to playing a central role in delivering the programme’s long‑term benefits for island communities and supporting the continued modernisation of the network.”
Kevin Galbraith, SSEN Distribution’s Subsea Project Director (Large Capital Delivery) says:
“Subsea connections are becoming ever-more important as Scotland’s island communities seek to invest in EV charging, heat pumps, and the decarbonisation of their industries.
“In addition to providing the networks fit for supporting this growth in the use of clean power, these framework agreements will also underpin the ambitions of islanders to generate, store, and export more renewable energy.
“The involvement of Briggs Marine will help ensure delivery of our investment will be rolled out in a seamless, co-ordinated way, and this will provide both customers and these partners with greater certainty.
“And it will also help Briggs Marine offer greater job security and new opportunities for employment.”
