Companies responsible for operating and upgrading the UK’s electricity networks have set out plans to generate £58bn in gross value added (GVA) and support more than 210,000 jobs by 2035.
The targets are contained in the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan, published on 20 October by trade association Beama and the Energy Networks Association (ENA). The plan forecasts up to £200bn of investment over the next 10 years to maintain, expand and modernise electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.
It aims to ensure that up to 72p of every pound invested remains in the UK economy, supporting domestic manufacturers, services firms and wider supply chains.
Industry partnership planned
The plan was developed with contributions from 21 Beama members, including Schneider Electric, Siemens and Hitachi, and 10 ENA members, including National Grid, UK Power Networks and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the National Energy System Operator, Ofgem and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority also contributed.
Beama and the ENA said the investment would create opportunities for apprentices, engineers and senior professionals across the country, as well as supporting manufacturing, construction and network operations.
The organisations plan to establish an “Electricity Networks Growth Partnership” to oversee delivery. Lucy Electric director Phil Dingle, who co-chairs the sector growth plan, described the partnership as “the delivery body, the driving force”.
He said Energy Minister Michael Shanks had committed to chairing an overview group for the partnership. Beama chief executive Yselkla Farmer said a strategic board would be formed in the coming weeks, with government, regulators, GB Energy, Beama, the ENA and supply chain representatives involved.
“We have published this plan, and it will be pretty embarrassing if we don’t do it,” Farmer said when asked how progress would be held to account.
Calls for long-term visibility
Industry leaders said the scale of the proposed grid upgrade would depend on clearer visibility of future work, allowing manufacturers and service providers to invest in facilities, equipment and skills.
National Grid UK president Cordi O’Hara, who also co-chairs the plan, said long-term visibility, early commitment and partnership would give businesses confidence to expand.
Dingle said global production of grid equipment was already under pressure, arguing that the UK needed to become a location where manufacturers chose to build new factories. He added that companies needed clear sight of future demand before committing to investment.
ENA chief executive Lawrence Slade said the network transformation would enable the connection of more clean, secure and affordable energy while supporting jobs across network operation, manufacturing, engineering, construction and the wider supply chain.
Ofgem director general for infrastructure Akshay Kaul welcomed the plan but said the priority was turning its ambitions into delivery. “With government, industry and the regulator working together, there is a real opportunity to maximise the benefits of investment in Britain’s electricity networks,” he said.