Kirby Group Engineering: Delivering resilient energy infrastructure
15/09/2026

Kirby Group Engineering: Delivering resilient energy infrastructure

Location: Bellshill, Glasgow, and Inverurie, with headquarters in Limerick, Ireland
Building a stronger, more resilient electricity network requires skilled people as well as major new infrastructure. Kirby Group Engineering is helping ScottishPower to deliver both.

At a glance

  • More than 1,900 employees across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe
  • Working with ScottishPower Energy Networks for more than 13 years
  • Named Iberdrola’s 2025 Global Supplier of the Year

Founded in Limerick in 1964, the electrical and mechanical engineering contractor now employs more than 1,900 people across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. Its long-standing relationship with ScottishPower has supported that growth, including the expansion of its Bellshill office near Glasgow.

Kirby has worked with SP Energy Networks for more than 13 years, designing, building and upgrading critical electricity infrastructure across Scotland. It secured a place on its strategic framework which will see it and 18 other suppliers benefit from up to £5.4bn in contracts over the next decade. 

Kirby delivers more than 20 projects a year for the business, including major work at Kincardine and Windyhill. At Kincardine, infrastructure delivered by Kirby will enable up to 800MW of additional renewable energy to be transferred across the grid.

That growing pipeline is supporting jobs and skills too. Kirby is continuing to build its team around SP Energy Networks’ projects, while creating opportunities for apprentices, graduates and experienced engineers moving across from other sectors.

It has opened two offices in Scotland and has even moved to a bigger office, near Glasgow, to house its expanding workforce. Across the region, it now employs 200 people, with 70 extra jobs created in 2025 and plans of more to come, thanks to the scale of investment. Its apprenticeship programme has also seen a boost, with an additional four apprentices joining the Scottish team in 2026.

“Through our strategic partnership with SP Energy Networks, we are expanding our operations, creating employment opportunities and scaling our training and development programmes. The delivery of this critical infrastructure upgrade is already creating high-quality, skilled jobs and will leave a legacy of social value in communities across Scotland.”
Michael Murray, Power and Renewables Director at Kirby Group Engineering

Kirby’s crucial role in ScottishPower’s supply chain was recognised in 2025 when Kirby was named Iberdrola’s Global Supplier of the Year.


Pictured at the awards event, held at the Iberdrola Tower in Bilbao, were Ross Henderson, ScottishPower UK Procurement and Insurance Director; Joanne Owens, ScottishPower; Gerry McBeth, Kirby Operations Manager; Michael Murray, Kirby Director of Power and Renewables and Group Business Development Director; Nicola Connelly, SP Energy Networks Chief Executive Officer, and Martin Hayward, Kirby Operations Manager UK.