Balfour Beatty, M Group, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy and Omexom Taylor Woodrow (OTW) have been appointed by National Grid to work on the next phase of its Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), valued at £1.2bn, which is expected to increase overhead line (OHL) capacity.
The works announced will see “major reconductoring projects across the transmission network in England and Wales”, said National Grid.
This follows works previously announced by the firm in July 2025 under its ETP, which were focused on substation delivery and were valued at £8bn.
National Grid said the next phase of the ETP would “upgrade existing lines to increase capacity, unlock new connections and boost resilience to support Britain’s future electricity needs as demand grows”.
“An initial £1.2 billion of reconductoring projects covering over 1,000km of OHL routes have been allocated to Balfour Beatty, M Group, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy and OTW, through a partnership model which transforms how National Grid works with its supply chain,” it said.
Reconductoring involves upgrading OHLs with newer materials that can carry more electricity.
National Grid emphasised the novelty of the partnership methodology it is using under the ETP, saying that the scheme “uses a long-term, collaborative approach to delivery, encouraging closer working with the supply chain, rewarding strong performance and unlocking investment in skills and workforce development”, and builds on the substations partnerships announced in 2025.
This should enable National Grid and the firms to plan further ahead and share expertise and standards to improve safety, efficiency and value for consumers.
The ETP is separate from, but complementary to, National Grid’s other supply chain activities such as the Great Grid Partnership and its high voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain framework.
The announcement of the substation works in summer 2025 highlighted the regional focuses of each of the firms, with Balfour Beatty selected for the North East, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure for the North West, Murphy for both the South West (region one) and London & South East, M Group Energy for the South West (region two) and OTW for the Central West.
National Grid said in its latest announcement that “Omexom opened a multidisciplinary training centre in Yorkshire in 2023; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure opened its first overhead line training centre in Staffordshire in 2024; and Murphy is planning to open a new high voltage overhead line, cable installation and substation training facility in Nottinghamshire next year.”
The National Grid statement said: “This latest ETP programme forms a key part of National Grid’s RIIO-T3 plan, which proposes £31bn of investment in the transmission network through to 2031.”
This contrasts with its July 2025 announcement, which said its RIIO-T3 plan envisages up to £35bn being pumped into electricity transmission networks over the five years to March 2031.
During the period to 2031, National Grid plans to upgrade 3,500km of existing transmission lines, which is half of its network.
Under the previous price control period – RIIO-T2, National Grid delivered more than 16GW of new transfer capacity by upgrading existing infrastructure and installing grid-enhancing technologies – “including 3.5GW added through reconductoring in 2024/25 alone”, it said.
Partnership reaction
National Grid president of electricity transmission Alice Delahunty 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.”
Balfour Beatty power transmission & distribution business managing director Tony Wilson said: “We’re proud to continue our partnership with National Grid as part of the next phase of the Electricity Transmission Partnership, with upgrades to existing overhead lines representing a vital and efficient way to increase network capacity and support the growing demand for electricity.
“Through this collaborative model, we can combine our expertise with National Grid and our supply chain partners to safely deliver essential infrastructure, strengthen the resilience of the network and help enable the UK’s transition to a more secure, low-carbon energy system.”
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure managing director – energy Peter Kirk said: “Bringing together substations and overhead lines under the Electricity Transmission Partnership is a natural step as we upgrade critical transmission infrastructure.
“This will help ensure our national grid can meet growing demand and remain secure when it matters most. We’re proud to be investing in the people and skills needed to deliver these upgrades now, and to maintain them for the future.”
Murphy energy managing director Liam Corr 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.”
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 £100bn in clean energy investment has been announced since the government came to office.”
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