• BEAMA with United Infrastructure (UI) have established the new Electricity Networks Infrastructure (ENI) Services Group, with UI chairing.  
• United Infrastructure, Balfour Beatty and M Group are among the founding members. 
• The group gives services firms a route into the Electricity Networks Growth Partnership, set up by BEAMA and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) to implement the new Sector Growth Plan 
• Priorities include building the workforce, with an estimated 71,000 people needed to fill direct roles by 2035, and helping the UK supply chain invest, through changes to procurement rules and standards, and through a clearer sight of future work  

 

We have launched a new group for the UK's services companies delivering power grid infrastructure, including those working in civil engineering, construction, design, specification and wider services. The Electricity Networks Infrastructure (ENI) Services Group gives these firms a voice alongside the suppliers of power grid infrastructure systems and solutions that we already represent within our existing ENI sector.

The group launch follows the publication of the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan (ENSGP). The plan sets out how network operators are investing £181bn in Great Britain’s electricity networks by 2035, and identifies key actions the industry will take to support more than 210,000 jobs and unlock £58bn for the UK economy. Through the new group, services companies delivering grid infrastructure can take part directly in the Electricity Networks Growth Partnership, which BEAMA and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) set up to deliver the ENSGP.  

 

Founding members on the infrastructure delivery side include United Infrastructure, Balfour Beatty, and M Group.

Founding members include United Infrastructure, which chairs the group, M Group and Balfour Beatty. Through BEAMA, the group will work with the wider supply chain, network operators, government and the regulator on delivering the Sector Growth Plan’s actions. Its priorities include building the workforce the sector needs. It will also work on changes to procurement, policy and regulation that would give the supply chain the confidence to invest and grow in the UK. 

ENI Services companies provide specification, design, construction and wider services to electricity network operators. They also work in other growing UK markets, including new housing, electric transport, data centres, renewable power and battery storage. BEAMA will help the group work with these customers and with government, the energy regulator Ofgem and the wider industry on realising the opportunities for the UK identified by the Sector Growth Plan. 

Griff Thomas, Executive Director of Energy Transition at United Infrastructure, and Chair of the ENI Services Group said: “A contractor’s perspective is critical if the UK is to deliver this infrastructure as efficiently as possible. By bringing leading delivery partners together, we will have a single voice on policy and regulation, so we can shape it rather than just be on the receiving end of it.” 

 

Skills and supply chain growth are key priorities

Working with BEAMA’s existing members through the Partnership, the group will help develop a national training programme and inform changes to procurement rules and industry standards that would speed up delivery and keep costs down. The Plan says the industry will need to attract, recruit, train and retain an estimated 71,000 people to fill direct roles by 2035. 

 

Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission and Distribution business, said: “The scale of investment required to upgrade the UK’s electricity network represents a significant opportunity for our industry, but delivering it will require close collaboration across the entire supply chain. 

Through BEAMA’s new Electricity Networks Infrastructure Services Group, we can bring together the experience of those delivering this critical infrastructure to help tackle some of the key challenges facing the sector, from developing the skilled workforce we need to creating greater certainty and visibility across the pipeline. By working collectively, we can help build the capacity and capability needed to deliver the UK’s future energy infrastructure.”  

 

Andy Smith, Managing Director, Distribution and EV, at M Group, said, “The growth in the electricity networks sector not only brings a shared challenge but also a fantastic opportunity to create and shape lifelong careers in an exciting industry, including for many young people looking to make that first step. 

This is the first time we have had the opportunity to bring together infrastructure delivery organisations under a single banner to support the electricity network sector at a time of significant investment. 

We are delighted to be a founding member of this group and take our opportunity to shape how the industry tackles the growth in skills needed, as well as other shared challenges. I would love to see other organisations in this sector join the group and contribute to its success.” 

 

Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, said: “This is the largest electricity network upgrade in a generation, and the scale is unprecedented. With the launch of the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan, we now embark on an ambitious programme of work that requires decisive action and collaboration. Bringing together the full supply chain, from manufacturing and systems design to services and delivery, is essential.”  

“There are huge benefits for the power grid infrastructure services industry in having a dedicated representative trade body at a time of such significant market change. BEAMA already has strong representation across other key markets including construction and transport. I am excited about the work we can now take forward with the new members joining us, as part of this historic move to expand our scope. We’re delighted to welcome United Infrastructure, Balfour Beatty and M Group, and we'd encourage other firms to join them.”