Power Transmission and Distribution

Reliable, secure, accessible and robust power transmission and distribution systems are critical elements in the push to meet the growing global demand for electricity. Transmission and distribution systems provide a lifeline to rural and urban areas alike, bringing clear socioeconomic benefits to communities around the globe. 

The bulk transfer of electrical energy—from generation of power plants to electrical substations to end users—requires an impeccable strategy and know-how. Our teams of specialist project managers, designers, engineers, and environmental consultants provide vast knowledge and comprehensive expertise to support clients in planning and implementing transmission and distribution networks that will perform efficiently over the long term, as well as in strengthening the infrastructure needed to remedy any shortcomings. We know that our clients need to improve power resilience in an era where extreme weather is becoming more common. Our professionals can leverage their extensive knowledge and experience to assess system vulnerabilities and develop designs that minimize the impact of climate-related events on power facilities and networks.

WSP has a long track record supporting utilities, contracting organizations, developers, owners and government agencies around the globe on transmission and distribution projects throughout the lifecycle. We respond to clients’ needs by harnessing our knowledge, technical leadership and project management skills, serving in diverse roles including as technical advisors, owner’s engineers, development engineers and lender’s engineers to solve complex transmission and distribution problems and produce innovative, high-quality, cost-effective solutions.

We’ve worked on every major element of power transmission and distribution network systems, including overhead power lines and towers, transformers and reactive compensation equipment, substations and switchyards, underground and submarine (undersea) cables, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and extra high-voltage (EHV) networks, as well as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and distribution management systems (DMS).

Our projects span:

• site and route optioneering

• environmental feasibility studies and assessments

• environmental permitting and planning consent support

• grid connection support, civil and electrical engineering design

• smart grid development

• integrated power solutions

• scenario analysis for sustainable energy systems for new urban areas

• distribution from intermittent electricity production and renewable energy sources

• infrastructure development binding continents and facilitating intracontinental trade

In Africa, we advised on the 850 km long interconnector connecting Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin. As the environmental specialist on this project, we updated the power transmission line route study, implemented the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and stakeholder engagement plan, as well as developed an environmental and social management plan (ESMP) and resettlement action plan (RAP) within the four countries. Our clients benefitted from the tools and methodologies we have developed and refined, including the ability to integrate environmental, social acceptability, and biodiversity issues into the project design, and to develop RAPs that capture the complex realities of rural areas and are in compliance with the highest international standards.