Energy engineering and consulting

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Case study

Great Grid Partnership: enabling the UK’s energy transition

National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade is a major grid modernisation programme that will connect clean energy from where it’s generated to homes and businesses across England and Wales by the end of the decade.

To accomplish this at the necessary scale and pace, National Grid has launched the Great Grid Partnership – a collaborative enterprise model that unites an initial seven supply chain partners to deliver the first nine projects of this groundbreaking programme.

Our joint venture with Arup has been appointed as one of two design and consenting service partners, alongside WSP.

A new model of supply chain cooperation

By fostering collaboration and pooling resources and skills, the Great Grid Partnership will enable faster and more efficient delivery. According to National Grid, this enterprise model will enhance supply chain capacity and provide better value for money – benefiting both consumers and local communities.

Initially focused on design and construction across England and Wales, the partnership forms part of a wider £9 billion supply chain framework supporting future infrastructure projects after 2030.

Applying our expertise

Of the nine initial projects, five are classed as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), with AECOM supporting two.

As design and consenting service partner, we will guide each project through the Development Consent Order (DCO) application process, conducting environmental assessments, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and engaging stakeholders on the designs. Having supported over 15 successful DCOs for UK energy clients, we have a proven track record of navigating these challenges.