As one of the leading companies in rail electrification SPL Powerlines UK has marked 2026 as the year it further extends its expertise into the high-voltage energy infrastructure market in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Martin Hawley, Managing Director of SPL Powerlines, said that the new chapter in the company’s continued growth sees it seamlessly offering its proven specialist capabilities, rigorous safety standards and disciplines to the highly regulated energy sector.
He explained: “Our move into the energy and utilities sector is the fruition of two years’ strategic planning and development to grow horizontally and vertically in new industries and regions.
“We have a proven pedigree in delivering large, complex, multi-disciplinary projects in the rail industry on time, ahead of schedule and under budget. The rail sector in the UK and Ireland is heavily regulated and has a high expectation of safety levels, which is very similar to the energy market. The assurance and rigour that we bring to a regulatory environment is second to none.”
Powerlines already has extensive experience delivering large-scale, high-voltage transmission projects in the energy sector in Europe and has collaborated with major grid operators in Austria and Germany, which means expanding into the UK market is a logical next step.
Martin added: “Our European model within Powerlines Group, an Equans company, operates in multiple countries and sectors, predominantly mass transit, mainline rail, and energy transmission and distribution and this is the model that we have now adopted in the UK and Ireland.
“We are able to bring in our company’s expertise of undertaking large transmission works in Germany, Austria and France, and supply our company’s vast range of skills to the UK energy sector.”
He added: “The energy sector is entering a defining moment, and with it comes an extraordinary opportunity. For years, the sector has been ready for a renewed focus on people: developing talent, strengthening skills, and building a sustainable workforce pipeline. That moment has arrived. This is where we thrive.”
SPL Powerlines are HV and OLE contractors who design, build and deliver full system architecture solutions. They offer the complete portfolio including surveying, design, construction, procurement, test plans, section proving, sub-stations and civil engineering. The company readily invests in people, plant and premises and its direct workforce is also supported by sub-contractors and SMEs where required.
Martin explained: “Our team has many transferrable skills which makes our entry into the utilities sector the sensible next step to provide first-class delivery to a thriving industry.
“With a strong corporate background and our existing capabilities, we have the ability to transform and enter these new sectors with minimal training of our highly skilled workforce.”
Martin said: “Alongside the transferrable skills within our team in the UK and Ireland, as we expand in the energy sector the requirement for further personnel will grow. We’re not just delivering services; we’re elevating capability. We’re reigniting a culture of development, progression, and long‑term investment in people; the foundation of a stronger, more resilient energy future.”
As part of this drive members of the SPL Powerlines team has recently fast-tracked experienced linesmen to an accredited core Wood Pole competence. This included elements of pole top rescue, general positioning at the pole top working in teams, rigging and dismantling of an existing 11kV line in preparation to run a new line, pole installation and pole top make off. The training also covered the installation of low voltage tails from transformer to low voltage fuses, the installation of high voltage jumpers to transformer, fitting anti-climb guards and electrical testing.
SPL Powerlines has extensive experience not only in OHL installation but also in substation construction and the installation of associated distribution equipment. Across the UK, SPL Powerlines teams have delivered over twenty-five 25kV substations on Network Rail infrastructure to support new electrification programmes.
These portfolios across England and Scotland included several 400 kV National Grid feeder station connections, associated HV cable installation, protection and control systems and full testing and commissioning. Offering a full integrated delivery solution, SPL Powerlines acted as Lead Design Organisation Principal Contractor, Construction and Testing delivery for all associated civils’, telecoms and electrical works.
The company is also highly experienced in stakeholder relations and communicating on environmental issues with local residents, for example when undertaking land works.
SPL Powerlines has obtained NERS (National Electricity Registration Scheme) Partial accreditation across all available scopes with a view to progressing to full accreditation within the year. This is a key industry standard recognising competence and compliance for Independent Connection Providers (ICPs) working on UK electricity infrastructure.
SPL Powerlines UK Limited is a leading multi-disciplinary infrastructure specialist, offering end-to-end delivery across both rail and energy sectors with capabilities that sets it apart in highly regulated environments. Its energy infrastructure expertise spans HV/LV distribution up to 132kV, transmission systems up to 400kV, substation design and build, BESS installation, and renewable energy connections. What differentiates the company is its ability to integrate these services seamlessly with decades of rail electrification experience, ensuring assured engineering, safety discipline, and consistent delivery performance.
SPL Powerlines operates one of the industry’s most comprehensive fleets of rail and construction plant, supported by in-house logistics, haulage, welfare, and 24/7 maintenance, enabling rapid mobilisation and fully controlled project execution. Its design and consultancy teams provides multi-disciplinary engineering across civils, OLE, cable routing, and substations, combined with advanced digital engineering, BIM, CDE management, surveying, and full systems engineering and assurance – ensuring compliant, efficient, and right-first-time outcomes.
SPL Powerlines is also a RISQS-certified and National Skills Academy for Rail–accredited labour provider, supplying technical, engineering, and specialist HV and OLE professionals across the UK and Ireland. With integrated PMO, governance, and recruitment solutions, the company provides a complete, scalable service – delivering safe, high-quality, and future-ready infrastructure for clients in both rail and energy markets.
About Powerlines
Powerlines build future networks for rail, energy, and e-mobility. The Group implements complex overhead and transmission line construction projects for international customers and provides innovative charging infrastructure solutions. The Powerlines Group is one of Europe’s leading providers of infrastructure electrification solutions. The electrification of public transport systems is the basis of decarbonisation and thus the reduction of CO2 emissions in transport. The construction and expansion of energy transmission infrastructure is paving the way for the energy transition. The Powerlines Group has its headquarters in Lower Austria and local subsidiaries in Central and Northern Europe. The Group employs over 1,370 people. In the 2024 financial year, it generated a turnover of EUR 440 million. The Powerlines Group is an Equans France company.
https://www.powerlines-group.com/en
About Equans Group
A subsidiary of the Bouygues group, Equans is a global leader in the energy and services sector, operating in 20 countries, with 83,000 employees across five continents, and €18.7bn in revenue in 2025.
Equans designs, installs and delivers tailored solutions to enhance its clients’ equipment, systems and technical processes and optimise their use as part of their energy, industrial and digital transitions. With a strong local footprint built on its historic brands and leading technical expertise, Equans’ highly qualified experts support regions, cities, industries and buildings across HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), refrigeration and fire safety, facilities management, digital and ICT, electrical, mechanical and robotics services. Equans is the market leader across key European markets (France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK) and also has a strong presence in the United States and Latin America.
This article appeared in the May 2026 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.
