National Grid has launched the next phase of its Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), appointing five delivery partners to carry out major overhead line (OHL) upgrades across England and Wales.

An initial £1.2bn of projects covering more than1,000km of OHL routes have been allocated to Balfour Beatty, M Group, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy and Omexom Taylor Woodrow (OTW) joint venture through a partnership model which updates how National Grid works with its supply chain.

The ‘reconductoring’ work  involves upgrading existing lines with newer spec materials so they can carry more electricity, making best use of infrastructure already in place.

The work builds on the ETP’s first phase for substations announced last year. This latest ETP programme forms part of National Grid’s RIIO-T3 plan, which proposes £31bn of investment in the transmission network through to 2031. During that period the company plans to upgrade around 3,500km of existing transmission lines – half of its entire network.

By 2031 National Grid expects to recruit around 6,000 full-time employees in the UK – among them 2,000 graduates and apprentices – with its investment also supporting jobs and growth across the wider economy, including through its supply chain.

To prepare for the growing scale of work across the sector, partners are already investing in training and capacity. Omexom opened a multidisciplinary training centre in Yorkshire in 2023; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure opened its first overhead line training centre in Staffordshire in 2024 while Murphy is planning to open a new high voltage overhead line, cable installation and substation training facility in Nottinghamshire next year.

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.”