National Grid has launched the Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), an £8 billion strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the UK's substation infrastructure and accelerating its transition to clean energy. The program is part of the company's broader RIIO-T3 investment plan, which proposes up to £35 billion in transmission upgrades across England and Wales by 2031.

The ETP introduces a long-term regional delivery model designed to secure supply chain capacity, stimulate local investment, and create skilled jobs. Under the model, delivery partners are awarded regional exclusivity for substation projects, based on performance and capacity-building commitments.

Initial delivery partners include Balfour Beatty (North East), Morgan Sindall Infrastructure (North West), Murphy (South West and London & South East), M Group Energy (South West), and the Omexom/Taylor Woodrow joint venture (OTW) for Central West. Two national delivery partners, Linxon and Burns & McDonnell, will support additional projects outside regional portfolios.

The first round of allocated work totals £1.3 billion, with around 130 substation projects expected during the RIIO-T3 period.

Alice Delahunty, President of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said the initiative represents "a bold shift" in infrastructure delivery, offering suppliers "the certainty to invest in people, skills, and innovation."

Energy Minister Michael Shanks welcomed the move, calling it "a boost for Britain's supply chains" and a key component in delivering "clean, homegrown power."

The ETP complements other National Grid programs like the Great Grid Partnership and the HVDC supply chain framework, and may later be expanded beyond substations to cover additional network infrastructure.