National Grid joins Northern Powerhouse Partnership to help power the North’s growth and skills future

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) is delighted to welcome National Grid as its newest member, strengthening joint efforts to deliver economic growth, high-quality jobs and long-term investment across the North of England.

National Grid’s membership comes at a pivotal moment as the organisation embarks on an unprecedented programme of upgrades through The Great Grid Upgrade – the largest transformation of the electricity transmission network in generations.

Yesterday NPP were welcomed at the National Grid’s newly opened Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) visitor centre at Wren Hall, a major clean energy project that will help carry renewable power between Scotland and Yorkshire.

National Grid brings extensive technical, engineering and infrastructure expertise to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Their leadership on clean energy transmission, large-scale project delivery and future skills development will only strengthen the Partnership’s work across energy, skills and supply chain policy.

As part of The Great Grid Upgrade, National Grid is delivering key northern projects including:

• Eastern Green Link 1 and 2
• Yorkshire Green
• Cross Border Connection (proposed)
• North Humber to High Marnham (proposed)

These investments form the backbone of the UK’s transition to cleaner, more secure and more affordable home-grown power. National Grid’s overall network upgrade programme is expected to support up to 55,000 jobs across the UK by 2030, with a significant proportion in northern communities.

The North is already seeing the benefits of this investment:

• Construction partner BAM is creating around 200 skilled jobs on EGL2, including apprenticeships and engineering roles that offer long-term career pathways.
• Meet-the-buyer events for EGL1 and EGL2 have connected hundreds of northern SMEs with contract opportunities—helping local firms win work in civil engineering, cabling, transport, environmental services and technical design.
• National Grid is investing in power infrastructure that supports the region’s wider economic ambitions, from improvements to Grid Supply Points for Network Rail to the Sheffield Cable Replacement, strengthening energy resilience across the city.

As members of the Partnership, National Grid will work alongside civic and business leaders to ensure upcoming infrastructure upgrades maximise opportunities for local people, supports regional supply chains, and creates skilled jobs that young people can access in the clean energy sector.

Baroness Julie Elliott, Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome National Grid into the Partnership. Their expertise in major infrastructure delivery, engineering and clean energy transmission will be invaluable as we work to ensure the North plays a leading role in Britain’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

“Our research shows the huge jobs potential from the manufacture and deployment of Small Modular Reactors, the electrification of rail, and the shift to cleaner transport – all of which depend on strategic grid investment.

“Hearing about the apprenticeships and career opportunities being created across the region was a powerful reminder of what this investment means for northern communities. These are secure, high-quality roles for the next generation of technicians and engineers—central to delivering clean, affordable energy.”