Luddon: Skills and investment transforming Scotland's grid

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Founded as a small local business operating from a van, Luddon has grown into one of Scotland's leading specialist civil engineering contractors, supporting major energy infrastructure projects across the UK. And ScottishPower has been right there with them.

Now a key delivery partner in the modernisation and expansion of the UK's electricity network, the business specialises in civil engineering works associated with substation construction, including the delivery of control buildings, substation buildings and wider infrastructure.

The Glasgow-based company is currently the only civil engineering contractor in Scotland working across both ScottishPower's network and renewables businesses. Starting with a single project, this partnership has grown significantly, culminating in Luddon being appointed to ScottishPower's Strategic Substations Civils Framework through to 2030. The business currently delivers about £60 million of work annually for ScottishPower, with this expected to increase to £80 million as electricity network investment increases.

Tom Longstaff, Director of Operations at Luddon Construction said: "We have worked tirelessly with ScottishPower over the years to create and sustain a strong and meaningful working relationship that is underpinned by mutual respect and collaboration. We truly value this partnership and are committed to grow and nurture this together into the future.

We have grown organically because of our relationship with ScottishPower and are stronger as a result, facilitating further investment in our people and the recruitment and training of the next generation to help build a Distribution and Transmission Network fit for the 21st Century.”

ScottishPower’s investment has supported the company’s growth, helping expand its workforce, strengthen its supply chain and develop new capabilities. Luddon invests in talent through partnerships with local colleges and training providers. It is particularly proud of the young engineers it has recruited and developed, helping to build skills and expertise within Scotland's engineering sector. The business believes greater investment in apprenticeships and skills is essential to meet growing demand as the pace of national grid modernisation increases.

Alongside its commercial work, Luddon supports local communities through local hiring and participating in initiatives such as litter-picking and soup kitchens. The company believes this helps create a positive local legacy while strengthening links with the communities hosting major infrastructure projects.

"My name is Lewis Hayward I’m 20 years old working as a graduate apprentice site engineer for Luddon Construction. Being an Apprentice Site Engineer has given me the opportunity to combine my university studies with hands-on experience on ScottishPower projects. Every day brings new challenges, from surveying and setting out to supporting the construction of platforms, substations, and drainage.

I’ve developed both my technical and communication skills by working alongside experienced engineers and the wider site team. It’s great to be gaining experience on projects that are helping to develop the energy infrastructure of the future, while building a career in civil engineering."