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Construction has begun on two new gas peaking plants in Lancashire - with both sites set to export electrical power around the North West.

Electrical engineering firm Smith Brothers Contracting Ltd has commenced design work for two new sites in Great Harwood and Burnley.

Construction work is also "well underway" on the 10.3MW plant in Great Harwood, and the 6MW site in Burnley, and once complete, they will export electrical power to network operator Electricity North West.

The contract will be delivered on behalf of infrastructure investment and asset management firm, Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.

The developments will also provide additional support for the grid and intermittent renewable energy sources – such as wind and solar.

Yorkshire headquartered high-voltage specialist, Smith Brothers, is responsible for the private side of the assignments, overseeing all engineering procurement and construction relating to the design and build of the generation plant, the supporting infrastructure, and final installation, testing and connection.

Dave Ogden, director at Elland-based Smith Brothers, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our working relationship with Quinbrook and delighted to be a part of two significant developments.

"These further strengthen our position of being synonymous with high-quality, ECP and clean energy storage projects in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.”

Ken Epplestone, project manager at Smith Brothers added: “While COVID-19 has meant that timescales have had to be altered – as is the case the world over – the health of our team takes precedence above all else. With work now well underway at both locations, we are looking forward to energising Great Harwood and Burnley in the coming months.”