Devon businesses set for opportunities as National Grid unveils £624m programme
A Plymouth family business is among 78 companies sharing in £624 million of National Grid contracts, with the investment expected to support jobs and local supply chains
Businesses in Plymouth and Devon are among those set to benefit from £624 million in new National Grid contracts announced as part of a major investment in the UK’s electricity network.
National Grid said the contracts involve 78 companies across England and Wales, including 69 small and medium-sized businesses.
The company said the work will support electricity network maintenance and upgrades over the next five years as part of its wider £40 billion investment programme.
Roger Smith Skilled Services, a family-run business established in 1981 and employing three people, is among the companies expected to benefit.
The Plymouth-based firm has started a new contract with National Grid, with work taking place across West Cornwall, Bodmin, Plymouth and Devon.
Adrian Kidd, director and co-owner of Roger Smith Skilled Services, said the contract would provide the company with a steady pipeline of work.
“We are a small local Plymouth maintenance and construction company that has started a new contract with National Grid,” he said.
“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.”
National Grid said the wider programme is intended to support the electricity infrastructure needed to accommodate new homes, factories and data centres planned across the country.
It said the investment would also create opportunities for local businesses and communities.
On one major converter station project, a supplier has identified potential opportunities for around 270 local jobs, more than 3,000 apprenticeship weeks and support for about 30 local small businesses and community organisations.
National Grid said more than half of the spending on that project is expected to remain within the local area.
Cordi O’Hara, National Grid’s president for the UK, 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.”
The contracts announced yesterday (1 September) form part of National Grid’s five-year programme to upgrade energy infrastructure across England and Wales.