£624m in new contracts
National Grid has announced £624 million of new contracts across 78 companies in England and Wales as part of its wider £40 billion investment programme to upgrade the UK’s energy infrastructure.
The contracts will give businesses of different sizes a role in maintaining and modernising the country’s strategic electricity network over the next five years, creating opportunities across construction, engineering and related supply chains.
SMEs set to benefit
Small and medium sized businesses are also expected to play an important role in delivering the programme, with 69 SMEs included among the suppliers involved.
The investment is expected to create wider benefits for local economies, with projects supporting employment, skills development and opportunities for community businesses and organisations.
One major converter station project has already identified the potential for around 270 local jobs and more than 3,000 apprenticeship weeks. Around 30 local SMEs and community organisations could also benefit, while more than half of the project spending is expected to remain within the local area.
Supporting local construction businesses
Among the businesses benefiting is Roger Smith Skilled Services, a family company established in 1981 that employs three people.
The Plymouth based maintenance and construction company has started a new contract with National Grid covering work across West Cornwall, Bodmin, Plymouth and Devon.
Adrian Kidd, Director and co owner of Roger Smith Skilled Services, said the contract provides the business with a steady pipeline of work and greater confidence to invest and grow.
Building future infrastructure
The contracts form part of National Grid’s £40 billion investment programme, which will support major transmission projects and network improvements across England and Wales.
The programme is also expected to play an important role in supporting future development, helping provide the electricity infrastructure needed for new homes, factories and data centres planned across the UK.
For the construction sector, this creates a significant pipeline of work while connecting major infrastructure investment with local employment, skills and business growth.
Investment reaches beyond infrastructure
National Grid is also supporting communities through its Community Grant Programme and Community Matters Fund, alongside efforts to identify further opportunities for local initiatives.
Cordi O’Hara, President, UK of National Grid, said reliable, resilient and affordable energy infrastructure was essential to the country’s prosperity and highlighted the role of businesses of all sizes in delivering the programme.
The latest contracts demonstrate how major energy investment can create opportunities well beyond the construction of physical infrastructure, supporting businesses, jobs and skills while helping prepare the UK’s electricity network for future demand.
Source: National Grid
Image: National Grid