Plugged Into Progress: National Grid Powers Up £8bn Procurement Overhaul

National Grid is supercharging its procurement strategy with a major £8bn partnership designed to accelerate the UK’s transition to clean energy and modernise how critical infrastructure is delivered.

At the heart of the move is the newly launched Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), a programme focused on strengthening supply chains, speeding up delivery and embedding sustainability across projects in England and Wales.

The investment forms part of National Grid’s wider RIIO-T3 plan, which commits around £35bn between 2026 and 2031 to upgrade the electricity transmission network. The ambition is clear: double the UK’s power transfer capacity and connections, helping drive progress towards net zero by 2050.

A new era of collaboration

The ETP places collaboration front and centre, creating long-term partnerships with key contractors across regions. Companies such as Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy and M Group Energy have been appointed as regional delivery partners, giving them priority access to substation projects.

This model is designed to reward consistent performance, with suppliers encouraged to invest in skills, innovation and sustainable practices in return for a steady pipeline of work.

Tony Wilson, Managing Director at Balfour Beatty Power Transmission & Distribution, said the approach marks a “necessary advancement” that will strengthen the supply chain while accelerating progress towards net zero.

Building at scale

The programme will see around 130 projects delivered nationwide, including new substations and upgrades to existing infrastructure—boosting resilience while supporting local economies through job creation and supply chain opportunities.

Alongside the ETP, National Grid has also introduced a dynamic market framework for substation construction and upgrades. This flexible system allows more firms to join over time, while giving early entrants a head start on securing work.

Major contractors including Laing O’Rourke, BAM Nuttall, Costain, Siemens Energy and Skanska have secured key positions across engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), mechanical and electrical (M&E), and civils workstreams.

Procurement with purpose

Beyond delivery, National Grid is repositioning procurement as a strategic tool for environmental and social impact. Its Social and Environmental Action Plan (SEAP) 2026–2031 embeds sustainability into every stage of the supply chain—shifting procurement from a cost-focused function to a driver of climate and community outcomes.

Alice Delahunty, President of Electricity Transmission, said the plan reflects both a responsibility and an opportunity to operate in a more sustainable and socially conscious way.

Meanwhile, Carl Trowell, President of Strategic Infrastructure, described the wider Great Grid Upgrade as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to build a cleaner, more resilient energy system.

Powering the future

With billions in investment, a reimagined procurement model and a clear focus on collaboration, National Grid is laying the groundwork for one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes.

In short, this isn’t just about building substations—it’s about rewiring how the industry delivers them