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UK’s National Grid awards £8bn substation construction pipeline
31 July 2025
National Grid launched a new long-term delivery model for substation construction across England and Wales, UK, with £8 billion (US$10.6 billion) in work expected to be awarded through its new Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP) framework during the next regulatory cycle to 2031.
An aerial view of National Grid’s 400kV Sandford substation, built as part of the Hinkley Connection Project. Image: National Grid
The new partnership structure is designed to accelerate delivery of around 130 substation projects, forming a key part of National Grid’s wider £35 billion RIIO-T3 transmission investment plan.
Construction firms awarded regional delivery roles under the ETP will have first refusal on future substation work in their areas, giving them greater certainty to invest in skills, capacity and supply chain growth.
Awarded partners include:
- Balfour Beatty – North East region
- Morgan Sindall Infrastructure – North West region
- Murphy – South West (region one) and London & South East region
- M Group Energy – South West (region two)
- Omexom / Taylor Woodrow JV (OTW) – Central West region
Two additional national partners – Linxon and Burns & McDonnell – will support substation delivery where needed across other regions.
The ETP introduces a performance-based approach to awarding substation packages, rewarding partners that meet delivery and investment targets. National Grid said this regional structure aims to unlock long-term construction capacity and expand the skilled labour pool needed for the UK’s clean energy transition.
The initial round of work includes £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in contracts that will be awarded at a later date, following the regional appointments in July.
The ETP framework complements other National Grid initiatives, including the Great Grid Partnership (for overhead lines and cables) and a dedicated high-voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain programme.
National Grid said the ETP model could later be extended beyond substations to other network infrastructure work under its growing construction pipeline.
Alice Delahunty, president of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said, “Our Electricity Transmission Partnership marks a bold shift in how we deliver vital electricity infrastructure. By adopting a regional, long term approach, we’re giving our supply chain the certainty to invest in people, skills and innovation. It’s a key step in turning our RIIO-T3 investment ambitions into action and building a resilient grid to support Britain’s clean energy future.”
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