National Grid’s US$10bn to Back the Clean Energy Transition

National Grid is reshaping how it engages with Britain's energy supply sector through an £8bn (US$10bn) initiative, aimed at speeding up the country’s shift towards clean electricity.

Known as the New Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), the programme will focus on revitalising regional supply chains in England and Wales.

It brings together construction firms, suppliers and local expertise to accelerate the build of critical electricity infrastructure.

This effort is part of National Grid’s broader investment plan, seeking to strengthen the grid while aligning with the UK’s 2050 net zero target.

Over the next several years, the focus is not only on laying down cables and constructing substations but also on building capacity within communities and firms across the country.

Supporting the clean energy transition

The ETP feeds into the National Grid’s RIIO-T3 plan, a regulatory framework for electricity transmission, which includes a wider £35bn (US$44.9bn) commitment between 2026 and 2031.

Through this investment, National Grid aims to double the electricity transferred nationwide and the number of customer connections.

The ETP stands out for its approach to collaboration.

It introduces a long-term, performance-based structure that encourages suppliers to adopt sustainable practices.

By rewarding consistent, high-quality delivery, National Grid creates conditions for enduring partnerships.

The new model allows delivery partners to take the lead in their respective regions, giving them the security to invest in workforce training, equipment and local expansion.

Those chosen as regional delivery partners include:

• Balfour Beatty for the North East

• Burns & McDonnell, working across the UK

• Linxon, working across the UK

• Morgan Sindall Infrastructure for the North West

• M Group Energy for South West region 2

• Murphy for South West region 1, London and South East

• Omexom / Taylor Woodrow (OTW) for Central West

These firms gain first refusal on substation projects in their designated areas, giving them a clear pipeline of work to plan around.

Tony Wilson, Managing Director at Balfour Beatty Power Transmission & Distribution, says: "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."

Infrastructure delivery with local impact

The ETP model isn’t only about high-voltage infrastructure.

It is closely tied to job creation and skills development in communities where projects are built.

National Grid’s approach aims to link infrastructure expansion with economic benefit on the ground.

The partnership covers about 130 substation projects.

That includes both new builds and upgrades across multiple regions.

The construction itself supports new roles across various trades and engineering disciplines, providing career pathways in an industry undergoing major growth due to the energy transition.

Simon Smith, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, says: "This latest investment cycle from National Grid will not only be pivotal to the UK by further strengthening the energy network for current and future resilience, but it brings so much for local communities with diverse career opportunities and the utilisation of local supply chain."

With an emphasis on including regional businesses in its supply chain, the ETP fosters development of local capability.

The programme not only supports the UK's transition away from fossil fuels but also promotes energy independence, by ensuring that supply chains involved in clean energy projects are built to last.

Building resilient supply chains for net zero goals

In tandem with the ETP, National Grid is running additional initiatives aimed at making its supplier ecosystem more robust.

These include the Great Grid Partnership (GGP) and a high voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain framework.

Together, these programmes aim to introduce better resilience, deeper capacity and greater national reach in energy construction.

The inclusion of HVDC technology, used to transmit electricity over long distances with minimal loss, demonstrates National Grid’s intent to upgrade both the physical grid and the technical competence of its supply chain.

This matters not just for delivering on green goals, but also for ensuring the system can handle increased demand as the UK electrifies heating, transport and other sectors.

"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," says Michael Shanks, Energy Minister.

"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."

With the ETP, National Grid is putting long-term sustainability at the centre of infrastructure planning.

By embedding training, performance incentives and regional development into the supply chain model, the utility is laying the groundwork not just for lower-carbon power but for a more robust and equitable energy system.