National Grid Awards £1.2bn Overhead Line Upgrade Programme to Five Contractors

National Grid has awarded an initial £1.2bn programme of electricity transmission work to five major infrastructure contractors as it accelerates investment in the UK's energy network.

Balfour Beatty, M Group, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy and OTW have been selected to deliver more than 1,000 kilometres of overhead line upgrades across England and Wales under the next phase of National Grid's Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP).

The contracts form part of a long-term programme designed to increase network capacity and support the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy system by enabling more renewable electricity to be transported around the country.

The work will focus on reconductoring existing overhead power lines, replacing ageing conductors with higher-capacity alternatives capable of carrying significantly greater volumes of electricity without the need to construct entirely new transmission routes.

National Grid believes the approach offers one of the most efficient ways to increase network capability while minimising disruption and reducing environmental impacts.

The appointments mark a significant expansion of the Electricity Transmission Partnership model, which seeks to move away from traditional client-contractor relationships towards longer-term collaborative arrangements designed to improve efficiency, innovation and performance.

Under the partnership approach, contractors are encouraged to invest in skills, workforce development and delivery capability with greater confidence, supported by a pipeline of future work.

The latest programme sits within National Grid's wider RIIO-T3 business plan, which outlines approximately £31bn of investment in the electricity transmission network between now and 2031.

As part of that programme, National Grid intends to upgrade around 3,500 kilometres of existing overhead transmission lines — equivalent to roughly half of its entire network.

The scale of investment reflects growing demand for electricity as the UK continues to electrify transport, heating and industry while connecting increasing volumes of renewable generation from offshore wind, solar and other low-carbon sources.

Transmission network upgrades have become a critical component of national energy policy, with industry leaders repeatedly warning that grid constraints could become one of the biggest barriers to achieving net-zero ambitions and supporting economic growth.

By upgrading existing infrastructure rather than relying solely on new build projects, National Grid hopes to accelerate delivery while making better use of existing assets.

The framework also provides greater certainty for contractors at a time when demand for skilled engineers, project managers and specialist energy infrastructure workers continues to increase across the sector.

For the five successful contractors, the award represents a significant share of one of the largest utility infrastructure programmes currently being delivered in the UK.

As construction activity ramps up over the coming years, the projects are expected to play a vital role in strengthening the resilience, capacity and flexibility of Britain's electricity transmission network, helping ensure it can meet future energy demands while supporting the transition to cleaner sources of power.