Belfast-based Farrans Construction has secured a major role in Scottish Water's "Enterprise" programme, a multi-billion pound investment designed to overhaul Scotland's water and waste water infrastructure.

The company has been selected as a preferred bidder for the role of Asset Delivery Partner. This pioneering delivery model is scheduled to operate from 2027 until 2033, and represents the largest procurement exercise ever conducted by the publicly owned utility. The agreement also includes the potential for a six-year extension beyond the initial seven-year term.

Under the new "Enterprise" approach, partner organisations will work collaboratively to modernise public assets, protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable water supplies. Farrans, which has maintained a continuous presence in Scotland for more than 80 years, will leverage its extensive local experience. The firm's past regional successes include the Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven extension, Glasgow's Govan to Partick Bridge, and various windfarm projects ranging from Kilgallioch to Wick.

Dominic Lavery, Managing Director of Farrans, commented: "This is the largest procurement ever undertaken by Scottish Water and it is a testament to the strength and experience of our team that we have been selected as an Asset Delivery Partner. We have had a presence in Scotland for over 80 years' and have been involved in significant projects including Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven, Govan to Partick Bridge in Glasgow and windfarms from Kilgallioch all the way north to Wick.

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"We are delighted to have a client relationship in Scotland which will last for the coming six years, with the potential for a significant extension thereafter. Our experience of the water sector is vast and we are currently on site with Anglian Water's Strategic Pipeline Alliance, Northumbrian Water, Uisce Eireann, Northern Ireland Water and Essex and Suffolk Water. We are looking forward to working with Scottish Water as we prepare to roll out teams across the country."

The "Enterprise" framework integrates Primary Designers, who hold accountability for design, with Asset Delivery Partners responsible for the execution of capital works. This model is a central pillar of Scottish Water's strategy to achieve service excellence, financial sustainability, and net-zero emissions.

Rob Mustard, Director of Capital Investment at Scottish Water, added: "The Enterprise is the most significant programme of investment and way of working we have ever implemented. It supports our goals of financial sustainability, customer and service excellence, and going beyond net zero, all while contributing to a flourishing Scotland.

"Primary Designers will be accountable for design across the Enterprise, ensuring that our designs deliver our outcomes, and Asset Delivery Partners will drive programme and project delivery, ensuring successful execution of capital works in line with those outcomes.

"Once the legalities are completed, we see these organisations working with Scottish Water to form our Enterprise, delivering a third of SR27 investments for our customers."

The procurement process, which began on 25 November 2024, is expected to reach full completion by March 2026.