Balfour Beatty has been awarded a contract to construct the new £209 million HMP Highland in Inverness, Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service. The company was initially appointed to deliver the pre-construction phase, including the design of HMP Highland, in 2022. This latest phase, valued at £119 million, will see the company progress with the construction of the new, modern 18,500m2 facility comprised of two new interconnected buildings and associated infrastructure, scheduled for completion in 2026.

HMP Highland will be the first net zero prison in Scotland, designed to run off renewable energy sources such as ground source heat pumps, aligning with the Scottish Government’s low carbon targets for the project. Balfour Beatty will utilize modular construction methods to preassemble the internal wall panels and perimeter walls offsite in a controlled factory environment, significantly reducing carbon emissions by minimizing the number of lorry movements and material deliveries to and from the site.

As part of its commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty has also committed to spending £60 million with local supply chain partners and businesses throughout the duration of the project. On completion, HMP Highland will replace Inverness Prison and will accommodate 200 prisoners, becoming the first new prison in the area – serving the Highlands, Islands, and Moray – for more than a century.

Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, expressed the company's delight in continuing to work alongside the Scottish Prison Service and emphasized their extensive expertise in modern methods of construction and local knowledge to deliver this groundbreaking facility. Linda Pollock, Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, highlighted the project's commitment to creating better environments for people to live and work, increasing capacity, and providing space for quality rehabilitative work.

At construction peak, Balfour Beatty will employ 250 people with 5% of its workforce made up of apprentices, graduates, and trainees to support its commitment to The 5% Club. The company's dedication to sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus, and retrofit, demonstrates its commitment to supporting Scotland’s transition towards net zero in the built environment.