Next phase of National Grid’s Electricity Transmission Partnership to boost overhead line capacity

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National Grid has launched the next phase of its Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), appointing five delivery partners to carry out major overhead line (OHL) upgrades across England and Wales to strengthen the network and support new connections.

An initial £1.2 billion of reconductoring projects covering over 1,000km of OHL routes have been allocated to Balfour Beatty, M Group, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy and OTW, through a partnership model which transforms how National Grid works with its supply chain.

Reconductoring involves upgrading existing lines with newer spec materials so they can carry more electricity, making best use of infrastructure already in place.

Building on the ETP’s first phase for substations announced last year, the scheme uses a long term, collaborative approach to delivery, encouraging closer working with the supply chain, rewarding strong performance and unlocking investment in skills and workforce development.

By working in this way, National Grid and its partners can plan further ahead, share expertise, and apply consistent standards and innovation across projects – improving safety, efficiency and long term value for consumers.

Through our Electricity Transmission Partnership, we’re delivering critical investment in the network while supporting skilled jobs, strengthening UK supply chains and helping to power long term economic growth.

The ETP complements other initiatives in National Grid’s evolving supply chain ecosystem, including the Great Grid Partnership (GGP) and its high voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain framework. Through these programmes National Grid has established supply chain contracts that will deliver over £28 billion in planned investment in its UK electricity networks.

By 2031 National Grid expects to recruit around 6,000 full-time employees in the UK – among them 2,000 graduates and apprentices – with its investment also supporting jobs and growth across the wider economy, including through its supply chain.

To prepare for the growing scale of work across the sector, partners are already investing in training and capacity: Omexom opened a multidisciplinary training centre in Yorkshire in 2023; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure opened its first overhead line training centre in Staffordshire in 2024; while Murphy is planning to open a new high voltage overhead line, cable installation and substation training facility in Nottinghamshire next year.

This latest ETP programme forms a key part of National Grid’s RIIO-T3 plan, which proposes £31 billion of investment in the transmission network through to 2031.

During that period the company plans to upgrade around 3,500km of existing transmission lines – half of its entire network – helping to support Britain’s future electricity needs as demand grows.

These plans build on progress made during RIIO-T2, when National Grid delivered over 16GW of new transfer capacity by upgrading existing infrastructure and installing grid enhancing technologies – including 3.5GW added through reconductoring in 2024/25 alone.

Alongside National Grid’s wider programme of network upgrades, the work will further increase capacity, enhance resilience and enable new connections, supporting the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system.

Alice Delahunty, president of electricity transmission at National Grid, said:

“Upgrading our existing network is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to increase capacity and strengthen resilience, alongside the vital role of building new infrastructure to meet growing demand.

“Through our Electricity Transmission Partnership, we’re delivering critical investment in the network while supporting skilled jobs, strengthening UK supply chains and helping to power long term economic growth.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:  

“Building and upgrading our electricity grid is creating jobs and investment across the country, while helping to build an energy system that is fit for the future.

“It comes as over £100 billion in clean energy investment has been announced since the government came to office.”

Tony Wilson, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution business, said:

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with National Grid as part of the next phase of the Electricity Transmission Partnership, with upgrades to existing overhead lines representing a vital and efficient way to increase network capacity and support the growing demand for electricity.

“Through this collaborative model, we can combine our expertise with National Grid and our supply chain partners to safely deliver essential infrastructure, strengthen the resilience of the network and help enable the UK’s transition to a more secure, low carbon energy system.”

Peter Kirk, managing director – energy at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said:

“Bringing together substations and overhead lines under the Electricity Transmission Partnership is a natural step as we upgrade critical transmission infrastructure. This will help ensure our national grid can meet growing demand and remain secure when it matters most. We’re proud to be investing in the people and skills needed to deliver these upgrades now, and to maintain them for the future.”

Liam Corr, energy managing director at Murphy, said:

“We are delighted to have been appointed to the ETP’s overhead line framework, following our appointment to ETP’s substation framework last year.

“As we take on the important task of boosting overhead line capacity and upgrading the UK’s infrastructure, we are investing in state-of-the-art training facilities to support this endeavour and allow us to deliver a world-class result. We look forward to continuing our collaboration within the partnership and the successful delivery of this vital infrastructure.”

Find out more about National Grid's UK supply chain