Energy company joins Northern Powerhouse Partnership as major infrastructure projects promise 55,000 jobs by 2030 and supply chain opportunities across region
National Grid joined the Northern Powerhouse Partnership on November 26, reinforcing its commitment to driving economic growth and employment across northern England through substantial energy infrastructure investments. The announcement took place at the company’s Eastern Green Link 2 converter station visitor centre at Wren Hall, recently opened by Member of Parliament Keir Mather.
The partnership connects National Grid with local leaders, industry stakeholders and communities as the company executes major network upgrade projects across the region. These infrastructure developments aim to deliver secure, domestically sourced power from cleaner and more affordable energy sources while creating lasting economic benefits.
Great Grid Upgrade transforms regional economy
National Grid’s infrastructure program includes significant investments throughout northern England under the Great Grid Upgrade initiative. Key projects include Eastern Green Link 1 and 2, Yorkshire Green and proposed developments like the Cross Border Connection and North Humber to High Marnham transmission lines.
The company expects its national network investment to support up to 55,000 jobs across the United Kingdom by 2030, with northern England capturing a substantial share of that employment. These positions span civil engineering, cabling, transport, environmental services and technical design sectors.
Construction partner BAM is creating approximately 200 jobs on Eastern Green Link 2 alone, including apprenticeships and highly skilled engineering roles. First year apprentices Joe and Leroy participated in the partnership announcement event, representing the next generation of engineers and technicians the projects aim to develop.
Supply chain opportunities multiply
National Grid has organized multiple meet the buyer events for Eastern Green Link 1 and 2, connecting hundreds of northern small and medium enterprises with contract opportunities. These gatherings help regional businesses compete for work across National Grid’s broader project portfolio beyond the immediate transmission line developments.
Companies throughout northern England are securing contracts in diverse sectors supporting the energy infrastructure buildout. METLEN, the contractor building the Eastern Green Link 1 converter station, has awarded approximately 170,000 pounds in contracts to small and medium enterprises to date.
The supply chain development strategy ensures the region captures long term economic value from the transition toward cleaner energy rather than seeing benefits flow to contractors from other parts of the country or abroad. This approach builds resilient local supply chains capable of supporting ongoing maintenance and future expansion projects.
Infrastructure supports broader regional development
Beyond transmission line projects, National Grid is investing in Grid Supply Point improvements supporting Network Rail and wider transport infrastructure throughout the region. These electrical system upgrades enable expanded rail service and industrial development that depends on reliable power supply.
The company is replacing overhead lines crossing the River Tyne with a new cable tunnel, helping unlock economic growth in Tyneside communities and industries relying on river access. The underground cable eliminates navigational restrictions the overhead lines previously imposed on vessel traffic.
Long term economic vision emerges
Alex Kaufman, Director of Land, Planning and External Affairs at National Grid, emphasized the company’s focus on maximizing economic benefits from network investments. The partnership allows closer collaboration with regional stakeholders to ensure infrastructure spending translates into quality skilled jobs and strengthened local supply chains.
Projects like Eastern Green Link 2 demonstrate the scale of opportunity available to northern businesses and workers. The meet the buyer events already help regional companies win contracts while construction partners create hundreds of new positions across skill levels and specializations.
Baroness Julie Elliott, Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, welcomed National Grid’s membership and expressed enthusiasm about ensuring northern communities experience full economic and skills benefits from the grid upgrade program. The partnership conducts ongoing research about jobs created across the economy from technologies including Small Modular Reactors and electric train deployment, all dependent on electricity transmission investment.
The apprenticeship opportunities represent high quality, secure employment supporting future generations of technical professionals. These positions prove central to delivering clean, affordable energy while building lasting career pathways for northern residents.
National Grid’s participation in the Northern Powerhouse Partnership signals recognition that major infrastructure investments require coordinated approaches engaging local stakeholders throughout planning and execution phases. The collaboration aims to ensure energy transition benefits flow equitably to communities hosting transmission infrastructure rather than bypassing regions where projects physically locate.