National Grid has announced £624 million of contracts across 78 companies in England and Wales, offering businesses “a key role in modernising the country’s strategic electricity network”.
Over the next five years, National Grid and the suppliers will work together to support critical electricity network maintenance and enhancements across England and Wales, it said.
The move will be a “key enabler to the delivery of thousands of new homes, factories and data centres the UK Government wants built this decade”, it added.
Benefits of contracts also aim to create opportunities for local businesses, jobs and communities. As an example, on one major converter station project, a supplier identified early opportunities that could support around 270 local jobs, provide more than 3,000 apprenticeship weeks, and benefit around 30 local SMEs and community organisations – with more than half of project spending expected to remain within the local area.
Roger Smith Skilled Services, a family business established in 1981 and employing three people, is one of the companies expected to benefit through work across West Cornwall, Bodmin, Plymouth and Devon, it said.
Adrian Kidd, Director and co-owner of Roger Smith Skilled Services, said:
“We are a small local Plymouth maintenance and construction company that has started a new contract with National Grid. This is a great opportunity for our business, providing a steady pipeline of work and giving us the confidence to invest and grow. We’re proud to play our part in helping National Grid maintain local substations and future-proof key local power infrastructure.”
Cordi O’Hara, President, UK of National Grid, said:
“Reliable, resilient and affordable energy infrastructure is essential to the country’s prosperity. By backing British businesses of all sizes, National Grid is helping to build the network that will connect people to jobs, support economic growth and create opportunity in communities across the country, giving people a stake in the transformation of our energy system.
“The benefits of this programme extend far beyond the infrastructure itself. From small local firms to major national suppliers, this programme is helping businesses to grow, to invest in skills, to create jobs, and to build the capabilities needed to support communities across England and Wales for years to come.”
Image courtesy of National Grid
