SCOTTISH Power has said it plans to create 1,000 new jobs after announcing a £5billion modernisation scheme.
The major energy firm revealed plans to upgrade the electricity network with works on cabling, pylons and construction.
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The company said it expects to hire an extra 1,000 staff next year, with its contractors needing to take on thousands more in the coming years, The Times reports.
Several supply chain partners have been signed up for the planned work.
Scottish Power recently announced that it would double its UK investment in networks and renewables to £24billion until the end of 2028.
Around £11billion of the total is likely to be spent in Scotland.
And £5.4billion will be invested in the modernisation scheme – £3billion for overhead lines and £2.4billion for substations.
Keith Anderson, the chief executive of Scottish Power, said the electricity network and grid is in need of the biggest overhaul since the 1950s.
He added: “The great thing about infrastructure investment is it’s the length and breadth of the country.
“This isn’t big contracts going into London or Glasgow or Edinburgh.
“This is contracts that are going to be delivered and jobs that are going to be created in local communities so it brings economic benefit right across the country.”
A total of 22 contractors have been listed to work on the upgrade so far, with a number of Scottish companies involved.
Mr Anderson added: “We truly expect and anticipate for every one of these contractors now this will give them the confidence to get motoring ahead with their recruitment plans to make sure they’ve got the resource to deliver all of this as well.
“This is full-blown construction work from its most basic level to its most sophisticated engineering level.”
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