The National Grid has partnered with leading firms like Balfour Beatty and Morgan Sindall Infrastructure to drive Britain’s transition to a clean energy future
The purpose of the Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP) is to enhance the supply chain capacity, skills, and investment plans of the National Grid’s transmission network.
£8bn worth of substation infrastructure will be delivered under the partnership to support the UK as it continues its transition to clean, sustainable energy.
Energy minister, Michael Shanks, said: “The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century, with the potential to revitalise our industrial heartlands with skilled jobs and economic growth.
“This £8 billion partnership from National Grid is proof of that – providing a boost for Britain’s supply chains, investing in the future of our highly skilled workforce and helping to deliver clean, homegrown power that we control.”
Prioritising regional partnerships
The partnership aims to interact with suppliers in a different way, engendering a more collaborative approach over the long term, prioritising regional partnerships and rewarding partners for performance.
To achieve this, ETP partners will be given regional exclusivity of substation work based on their performance and commitment to capacity expansion. This will encourage investment and development of local skills.
The current partners in the ETP with specific regions include:
• Balfour Beatty – North East region
• Morgan Sindall Infrastructure – North West region
• Murphy – South West (region one) and London & South East region
• M Group Energy – South West (region two)
• OTW – Central West region
These partners will have first refusal on future substation work in their region, providing a further measure of certainty for the company.
Linxon and Burns & McDonnell are also partners, who will be responsible for supporting delivery of substation work outside of the regional partners’ portfolios.
Part of a larger investment plan from National Grid
The £8bn also supports the National Grid’s RIIO-T3 investment plan, working towards a £35bn investment in England and Wales’ transmission network by March 2031, including upgrading existing substations and building new ones.
Alice Delahunty, president of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Our Electricity Transmission Partnership marks a bold shift in how we deliver vital electricity infrastructure. By adopting a regional, long term approach, we’re giving our supply chain the certainty to invest in people, skills and innovation. It’s a key step in turning our RIIO-T3 investment ambitions into action and building a resilient grid to support Britain’s clean energy future.”
Tony Wilson, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution business, said: “We’re proud to be a regional delivery partner for National Grid’s Electricity Transmission Partnership, and especially to be entrusted with the North East – an area where we have a strong presence and a long-standing commitment, having delivered major energy infrastructure projects across the region for decades.”
“This appointment recognises our proven track record in delivering critical infrastructure and our ability to mobilise skilled teams and innovative solutions at scale. The new model is a bold and timely step that will strengthen National Grid’s supply chain and accelerate the UK’s journey to net zero.”
