National Grid has begun the next stage of its Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), naming Balfour Beatty, M Group, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy and OTW to deliver major overhead line (OHL) upgrades across England and Wales. The initial package, worth £1.2bn, covers over 1,000km of routes and is being delivered through a partnership model designed to transform how National Grid collaborates with its supply chain.

Reconductoring replaces existing wires with modern, higher-capacity materials so lines can carry more electricity, maximising use of current infrastructure and limiting the need for new routes. This OHL phase builds on the substation-focused first phase of the ETP announced last year and adopts a long-term, collaborative approach that rewards strong performance and supports investment in skills and workforce development.

By planning further ahead and applying common standards and innovations, National Grid and its partners aim to improve safety and efficiency while delivering better long-term value for consumers.

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."

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The ETP sits alongside National Grid's other supply chain initiatives, including the Great Grid Partnership (GGP) and its high voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain framework. Together, these programmes are underpinning contracts that will deliver over £28bn of planned investment in the UK's electricity networks.

National Grid expects to hire around 6,000 full-time employees in the UK by 2031, including 2,000 graduates and apprentices, with investment also supporting jobs and growth throughout the wider supply chain. To meet rising demand for skilled workers, Omexom opened a multidisciplinary training centre in Yorkshire in 2023; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure launched its first OHL training centre in Staffordshire in 2024; and Murphy plans to open a new high-voltage OHL, cable installation and substation training facility in Nottinghamshire next year.

This latest ETP programme forms a core element of National Grid's RIIO-T3 plan, which proposes £31bn of transmission network investment to 2031. Over that period, the company intends to upgrade about 3,500km of existing transmission lines—roughly half of its network—to support Britain's growing electricity needs.

These ambitions build on progress during RIIO-T2, when National Grid delivered over 16GW of new transfer capacity through upgrades and grid-enhancing technologies, including 3.5GW added from reconductoring in 2024/25 alone.

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."