BRUSH Group company McGowan, which adopts an environmentally sensitive and sympathetic approach to delivering major infrastructure and civils projects, triumphed in the ‘engineering’ category for their work in developing a new and innovative cable protection technology for the UK’s onshore energy and utility industries. Deployed on a major SSEN wind project at Burn of Whilk in the Scottish Highlands, the technology was proven to reduce CO2 emissions by a staggering 85%, as well as reducing the cost of the project by £2.1 million.

Speaking about the award-winning project, McGowan Infrastructure director, Derek Mackay, said: “This industry first saw us reduce emissions (vs using traditional fine fill surround) by a staggering 85%, with the manufacture, delivery to site, and application of the cable wrap generating just 37 tonnes of CO2e. Further, using Eco Cable Protect saw significant cost savings for the client of £2.1m.

“The project has proven that Eco Cable Protect is a game changer, and capable of delivering huge cost and CO2 emissions savings while also safeguarding local habitats and keeping reinstatement efforts to an absolute minimum post project delivery. We are delighted to have been recognised by SSEN with this prestigious award and would like to thank them for the trust put in our technology that has now been adopted as an approved method for future projects.”

The project included the installation of 21km of 33kV circuit in trefoil over predominantly unmade ground, including very deep peat, the McGowan Infrastructure team calculated that using traditional fine fill sand surround to deliver the cabling project, it would require:

    • 13,500 tonnes of sand 
    • two excavators, one dump truck and a track dumper to operate for 40 days
    • temporary access roads to be constructed and deconstructed
    • generate an estimated 244 tonnes of CO2 emissions
    • cost the client £2.35m.

Recognising their role in helping Scotland reach net zero and in combating the global climate crisis, McGowan Infrastructure committed to using Eco Cable Protect – a sustainable alternative to fine fill cable surround – a UK first for this low carbon cable wrapping system.

Through this patented system, McGowan was able to maximise the use of trenchless technology to deliver both huge cost and carbon savings for the project. The technology also helped to safeguard local habitats by minimising reinstatement, mitigating sand washout risk into local watercourses, and excess sand contamination into vital native peatland.

Launched in 2023, SSEN Distribution’s Sustainability Supplier Awards aim to integrate sustainability into all their operations with each award recognising a project that has made a significant contribution to a sustainability innovation and can demonstrate a tangible and impactful benefit to the three pillars of sustainability – society, the economy, and the environment.

Speaking of the awards, SSEN Distribution’s head of sustainability, Shirley Robinson, said: “Given the breadth of work we’re involved in, we have a diverse supply chain, which features international conglomerates, independent local suppliers, and firms of all sizes in between. The idea of holding awards came about following conversations with suppliers themselves, who were eager for clear targets to work towards, and the healthy competition and the examples of best practice such contests can showcase.

“Each award category recognises a project that’s made a significant contribution in a particular area, and shows demonstrable benefits when it comes to our three pillars of sustainability – society, the economy, and the environment.”