The Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan
The aim is to maximise this generational opportunity by setting out a 10-year plan out to 2035, and one that provides a coherent roadmap to meet the Government’s commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
The Sector Growth Plan details, for the first time, how the UK can deliver clean, secure and affordable power while anchoring skilled jobs, stronger supply chains and industrial renewal across the UK for decades to come. The objective is to maximise the economic benefits generated by the growth of the electricity networks, support UK manufacturers and service providers to grow, and deliver good jobs across the country to enable the delivery of a modern, efficient electricity network.
The scope of this plan includes the transmission and distribution networks along with their supply chains and covers manufacturing of products and provision of services, construction and installation of new network infrastructure, and the operation and maintenance of existing and new networks.
In developing the Sector Growth Plan, we have conducted intensive sector-wide analysis, which has provided a rich source of high-quality data and evidence that underpins our recommendations.
This work has delivered:
- A comprehensive economic and supply chain analysis to quantify the economic opportunity stemming from network investment.
- An action plan to support growth of the UK supply chain and to strengthen domestic manufacturing capability.
- A collaborative work programme to pinpoint the workforce and skills requirements for the whole sector, covering transmission, distribution and the supply chain.
The Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan has been developed jointly by the BEAMA, Energy Networks Association (ENA) and their members, with support from partners including Government, Regulators, System Operators, and more:
BEAMA Member Contributors
Other Partners
Government, Regulator, System Operator
Other Organisations
Phil Dingle, Co-Chair of the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan and Director, Future Networks, Lucy Electric, added:
"The UK needs to be where manufacturers choose to build their next factory. Production worldwide is stretched to meet demand for grid equipment, and the technologies we have pioneered here give us a strong platform for growth. The UK supply chain is already creating jobs and investing in new manufacturing facilities.
"But companies need clear sight of future demand before they commit. The Sector Growth plan has identified actions, which will be delivered through the Growth Partnership, creating the foundations for investment in capacity and skills."
Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group, has commented:
"Long-term investment in the electricity network gives businesses like BRUSH the confidence to invest in our facilities, people and capabilities. Our partnership with the Distribution Network Operators has supported growth across our UK operations and enabled us to continue building the skills and expertise needed to deliver critical infrastructure projects for the UK Energy Networks as well as invest in new capacity, such as our brand new 132kV test cell in 2024 and new oven in 2026. Such investments and confidence have also allowed us to more than double our annual intake of apprentices across the Group. This demonstrates the tangible benefits of long-term infrastructure investment in creating skilled jobs, strengthening domestic manufacturing and developing the next generation of engineering talent. It is precisely the kind of collaboration that the Sector Growth Plan is designed to encourage."
Clar Collins, Managing Director, GE Vernova, said:
"The Electricity Network Sector Growth Plan is an important step for UK industrial policy. The ambition to channel £200 billion of electricity network investment over the next decade, with 72 pence in every pound staying in the UK supply chain, sets a clear direction for the future of UK energy.
"At GE Vernova, we’re proud about being part of that story. From our investments in our Stafford manufacturing facilities to delivering the country's first high-capacity east coast subsea transmission link, we are demonstrating what long-term partnership with UK industry looks like in practice.
"We’re also looking forward to working with government and partners to develop the skills to support the 128,000 high-quality UK jobs needed across the sector. You cannot build a world-class electricity network without a world-class workforce to deliver it."
Laura Fleming, Country Managing Director, Hitachi Energy UK & IE, said:
"I am delighted to support the outcomes and recommendations from the growth plan. We have already felt the plan’s impact with the local content guidance given to Ofgem. This supports strengthening the UK supply chain and we have seen our customers preparing to support this. I look forward to seeing further benefit as the report’s other recommendations are implemented."
Dai Richards, Director of External Affairs, Hitachi Energy UK & IE, stated:
"The level of collaboration across all organisations in developing the growth plan is something I haven’t seen in my many years in the sector and provides an excellent platform to deliver all of the plan’s recommendations. Providing visibility of long term future demand across the sector has always been a critical output from the growth plan and that improved pipeline visibility is already proving useful in our investment plans."
Iholdi Luis Monasterio, General Manager, Ormazabal UK, commented:
"Delivering the scale of network investment required for the UK’s energy transition will depend on strong, long-term partnerships between network operators and the supply chain. The Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan gives manufacturers greater visibility and confidence to invest in capacity, skills and innovation in the UK. At Ormazabal, we welcome this collaborative approach and the opportunity to play our part in building a resilient, sustainable electricity network for the future."
David Hall, Zone President UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric, said:
"The Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan provides a strong framework for accelerating the investment and innovation needed to build a modern, resilient and future-ready electricity system.
"Schneider Electric is proud to have contributed to its development. As a company that continues to invest in UK manufacturing, including our facilities in Leeds and Scarborough, we welcome the Plan's recognition of the critical role that domestic supply chains will play in delivering UK energy security and affordability. Greater visibility of future network investment will give businesses the confidence to invest in capacity, skills and innovation, helping to create high-quality jobs and strengthen the UK's industrial base.
"We are particularly encouraged by the focus on accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies and digital solutions. Creating faster pathways for technologies such as SF₆-free switchgear will help modernise the grid, reduce emissions and ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for investment in clean energy infrastructure.
"Delivering a more competitive, secure and sustainable economy will require close collaboration across government, Ofgem, network operators and the supply chain. We look forward to continuing to work with partners across the sector to turn the ambitions of the Growth Plan into tangible outcomes for customers, communities and the wider economy."
Steve Goldspink, Managing Director of Electrification and Automation at Siemens UK & Ireland, commented:
"This is a major milestone for the future of the energy sector. The electricity grid is one of the UK's most critical national assets. It underpins businesses and communities across the country, and its capacity and resilience will increasingly determine our ability to attract investment and grow industries, from advanced manufacturing to the digital infrastructure needed for AI.
"This plan gives us a roadmap to maximise the value we already have in our grid infrastructure - through targeted technology adoption and by extending the life of existing equipment wherever possible. The technology we need already exists, the challenge is deploying and adopting it at the pace required. The report outlines a need to ensure we have enough skilled people to support the transition, particularly in critical areas such as commissioning, where shortages can ultimately determine how quickly new infrastructure comes online.
"We also welcome the focus on moving away from SF6. Siemens F-gas free switchgear is available today and is already being deployed by many of our customers who have shown an eagerness to get ahead. We would encourage the UK to move decisively and accelerate the transition, so that F-gas free switchgear becomes the standard for new grid investment."
Darren Davidson, Vice President UK&I, Siemens Energy, said:
"Siemens Energy UK strongly welcomes the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan. As a leading provider of the technologies that underpin the UK's electricity networks, we see first-hand the scale of the challenge ahead and the opportunity for UK jobs and investment.
"Delivering the grid infrastructure needed for a secure, affordable, and decarbonised energy system will require a level of delivery not seen for generations. No single organisation can achieve this alone. Success will depend on unprecedented collaboration between government, network operators, and supply chains.
"The Growth Plan provides a vital framework for aligning ambition with action, strengthening UK skills and industrial capability, and accelerating the delivery of the resilient electricity system that will power economic growth and the energy transition."
