The A 460m contract, awarded by SSE networks business SHE Transmission, will apply to a new subsea electricity link being built by engineers ABB Ltd. All staff and contractors will be paid at least the living wage of A 7.65 per hour, and A 7.85 from April next year. SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said: "Just over a year ago SSE became the first energy company to be a living wage employer and remains the only energy supplier to do so.