STRABAG, Equitix and GLIL Infrastructure secure £3 billion Haweswater Aqueduct upgrade to protect water supply for North West England

STRABAG, Equitix and GLIL Infrastructure secure £3 billion Haweswater Aqueduct upgrade to protect water supply for North West England

(IN BRIEF) STRABAG SE, working with Equitix and GLIL Infrastructure, has achieved financial close on the £3 billion Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP). The project will upgrade the 110-kilometre aqueduct that carries water from the Lake District to Greater Manchester, replacing six tunnel sections totalling 50 kilometres. The consortium has formed Cascade Infrastructure Limited to manage financing, design, construction, and a 25-year maintenance agreement. STRABAG UK will lead the design and construction over nine years, marking the UK’s first major use of the Direct Procurement for Customers model. The programme will secure drinking water for 2.5 million people across North West England, create new jobs, and strengthen environmental resilience. For STRABAG, HARP reflects its Strategy 2030 and further expands its portfolio of PPP and concession projects, which now exceed €600 million in equity investment.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, 22-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — STRABAG SE, in partnership with Equitix and GLIL Infrastructure, has confirmed financial close on the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP), a landmark infrastructure project valued at approximately £3 billion. The partners have established Cascade Infrastructure Limited to deliver the initiative, which is set to safeguard the drinking water supply for 2.5 million people across Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

The Haweswater Aqueduct, first built between 1933 and 1955, stretches 110 kilometres from the Lake District to Manchester. Over the next nine years, six key tunnel sections totalling around 50 kilometres will be replaced to secure the aqueduct’s long-term performance. STRABAG UK will take the lead in the design and construction phases, while the consortium will oversee financing and a 25-year maintenance programme to ensure the system’s resilience for future generations.

The project is the first large-scale application of the UK’s Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) model, designed to stimulate private investment in public infrastructure while delivering value to consumers. With an estimated construction cost of around €3.5 billion, HARP represents one of the most significant investments in the region’s water network and environmental infrastructure.

Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive at United Utilities, commented: “This is a transformational project for the North West. By strengthening our water infrastructure, we can provide reliable, sustainable supplies for decades to come while creating hundreds of skilled jobs and supporting the local economy. HARP is central to our goal of making the region stronger, greener and healthier.”

For STRABAG, the contract underscores its long-term growth ambitions in the UK. “HARP strengthens our position in the UK and demonstrates our capability in delivering critical water infrastructure,” said Stefan Kratochwill, CEO of STRABAG SE. “This project not only supports the resilience of a vital asset but also reflects our Strategy 2030, which focuses on sustainable infrastructure and an expanded PPP and concession portfolio.”

STRABAG has significantly increased its presence in the UK in recent years, aligning with its broader strategy of investing in water-related projects. With HARP included, STRABAG’s equity commitment to PPP and DPC projects now exceeds €600 million, spanning more than 40 projects worldwide with a combined value surpassing €13 billion.

By combining financial innovation, advanced engineering, and long-term stewardship, the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme marks a major milestone in securing the UK’s water future while creating lasting social and economic benefits for the region.

STRABAG SE is a European-based technology group for construction services, a leader in innovation and financial strength. Our activities span all areas of the construction industry and cover the entire construction value chain. We create added value for our clients by taking an end-to-end view of construction over the entire life cycle – from planning and design to construction, operation and facility management to redevelopment or demolition. In all of our work, we accept responsibility for people and the environment: We are shaping the future of construction and are making significant investments in our portfolio of more than 250 innovation and 400 sustainability projects. Through the hard work and dedication of our approximately 86,000 employees, we generate an annual output volume of around € 19 billion.

Our dense network of subsidiaries in various European countries and on other continents extends our area of operation far beyond the borders of Austria and Germany. Working together with strong partners, we are pursuing a clear goal: to design, build and operate construction projects in a way that protects the climate and conserves resources. More information is available at www.strabag.com.

Media Contacts:

Marianne Jakl
STRABAG SE
Head of Corporate Communications
Group Spokeswoman
+43 1 22422 1174
pr@strabag.com

Marco Reiter
Head of Investor Relations
+43 1 22422 1089
marco.reiter@strabag.com

SOURCE: STRABAG SE