The UK’s electricity networks and supply chain sector has announced the development of an industry-led Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan.
The initiative, jointly led by trade bodies Energy Networks Association (ENA) and BEAMA, with support from the UK Government, has seen collaboration on a strategic pathway for skills and workforce and manufacturing capability.
It will demonstrate the sector’s economic contribution and its potential for future growth, while providing greater certainty for network companies, service providers and manufacturers around workforce, skills and supply chain capacity.
The Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan will seek to:
- Demonstrate the Sector’s contribution to the UK economy and future growth potential.
- Set out the workforce requirements needed to maintain, develop and attract the skills essential for a growing sector.
- Understand the UK’s supply chain capabilities and how domestic supply chains can be developed.
- Provide confidence that the Sector can deliver and meet demand.
The plan was developed with the sector set to enter a period of upgrade and expansion to power growth industries such as tech and AI, housebuilding and decarbonised transport.
New BEAMA analysis suggests that, on average, companies in the networks manufacturing sector have already grown their turnover by more than 25% since 2023, and their employment by over 50% – with almost £150m in investment over the last five years.
By strengthening collaboration across the sector, the Plan will ensure that electricity networks, supply chain businesses and manufacturers are aligned on what is needed to help lay the foundations for a decarbonised economy, “reinforcing their shared commitment to delivering a resilient, skilled and future-ready energy system”, the group said.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
“Our clean energy mission is the economic opportunity of the 21st century – from delivering the biggest upgrade to Britain’s outdated electricity network in decades to attracting over £50 billion in private investment for clean, homegrown energy over the last year.
“This growth plan is now a chance to work together across the industry to ensure our British supply chains and skilled workforces feel the benefits of the clean energy transition for generations to come – creating good jobs, economic growth and protecting billpayers for good.”
Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Electricity Distribution and Co-Chair of the ENSGP Steering Group, said:
“Electricity networks underpin the UK economy and power growth in all sectors. This Sector Growth Plan will give networks, and our supply chain partners, the clarity needed to plan ahead with confidence – knowing the right skills and supply chain capacity will be in place to deliver. It’s a crucial step in delivering the shared ambitions of industry and Government to drive growth, support investment, accelerate delivery and ensure we’re ready to meet the UK’s ever-growing energy needs head-on.”
Phil Dingle, Future Networks Director at Lucy Electric and Co-Chair of the ENSGP Steering Group, said:
“We are at a pivotal moment for decisions needed within the vital supply chain to make the Clean Power 2030 mission achievable. There is competition the world over for the technologies we have pioneered here in the UK and the changing nature of skills as we embrace digitalisation across our sector and the electricity networks.
“Businesses like ours are creating jobs and investing in the UK so that we can be successful in this global competition. It is through the shared ambition and collaborative action of this Growth Plan that we can realise the scale of this opportunity for clean power, economic growth and jobs.”
Lawrence Slade FEI, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK and Ireland’s electricity network operators, said:
“This Sector Growth Plan is a vital opportunity to showcase the huge chance that networks have to deliver real economic growth over the coming years. By working together on such a wide ranging plan for growth for the first time, the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan we develop will build on existing work and give industry and government the clarity and confidence needed to invest in the workforce, skills and supply chain capacity that will help drive us towards a clean power system.”
Yselkla Farmer, Chief Executive Officer of BEAMA, which represents manufacturers in the electrotechnical sector, said:
“The electrical sector knows it faces a significant but transformative challenge to grow manufacturing capacity here in the UK at a rate faster than has ever been achieved before. The Government has set out a progressive and positive package of measures through the Industrial Strategy, giving clear signals of a need to expand the supply chain.
“BEAMA members stand ready to step up to this challenge and to support the rollout of low carbon technologies and expansion of clean power. However, this can’t be done overnight. Delivering our stretching 2030 and 2050 targets means decisions need to be taken now to expand capacity and attract international investment. This project will translate these targets into tangible needs, and identify key parts of the sector for support, allowing manufacturing and a skilled workforce here in the UK to expand. This is the first time the industry has come together like this – I commend the work already done to get us to this stage and the commitment from Government to support us in maintaining ambition for the industry. We’re looking forward to supporting the work as it develops.”
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