Murphy is one of seven delivery partners on the new Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP) The Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP) is a transformative new approach, designed to accelerate the delivery of £8 billion worth of vital substation infrastructure across England and Wales and support the UK’s clean energy transition. It remodels how National Grid engages with suppliers, moving to a longer term collaborative approach that builds strong regional partnerships and rewards partners for high quality performance over time. The initiative awards regional exclusivity of substation work to ETP partners based on how well they perform and their commitment to expanding their capacity, an approach that aims to strengthen the UK supply chain, encourage long term investment, and support the development of local skills and capability. It also marks a major boost to National Grid’s ambitious RIIO-T3 investment plan, which proposes up to £35 billion investment in the transmission network in England and Wales over the five years to March 2031, including to build new substations or upgrade existing ones. As part of the ETP, National Grid expects to award around £8 billion worth of substation construction work over the RIIO-T3 period, covering multiple regions and around 130 projects. In July National Grid awarded regional delivery partner status to several successful suppliers, as well as allocating an initial £1.3 billion worth of exclusive work whose contracts will be awarded at a later stage. Regional delivery partners include: Murphy – South west (region one) and London & south east region M Group – South west (region two) OTW – Central west region Balfour Beatty – North east region Morgan Sindall Infrastructure – North west region The awards mean partners will have first refusal of future substation work in the pipeline in their region, providing them with the certainty they need to invest in growth and capability. Two national partners, Linxon and Burns & McDonnell, will support delivery of substation work that falls outside the scope of the regional partners’ portfolios. The ETP complements other pioneering initiatives in National Grid’s evolving supply chain ecosystem, including the Great Grid Partnership (GGP) and a new high voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain framework. Together, these programmes are designed to provide greater capacity and resilience across multiple infrastructure construction portfolios. The ETP model has the potential to be expanded beyond substations in future to include other network infrastructure, ensuring a consistent and innovative approach to bolstering supply chain across National Grid’s entire transmission network in England and Wales. Liam Corr, Energy Managing Director at Murphy, said: “Murphy is proud to be a part of this new partnership, which builds on our existing strong relationship with National Grid. Our company purpose is to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure, and the ETP framework sets out to do just this – reinforcing Britain’s transmission network for the benefit of all who live here.” Alice Delahunty, president of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Our Electricity Transmission Partnership marks a bold shift in how we deliver vital electricity infrastructure. By adopting a regional, long-term approach, we’re giving our supply chain the certainty to invest in people, skills and innovation. It’s a key step in turning our RIIO-T3 investment ambitions into action and building a resilient grid to support Britain’s clean energy future.” Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century, with the potential to revitalise our industrial heartlands with skilled jobs and economic growth. This £8 billion partnership from National Grid is proof of that – providing a boost for Britain’s supply chains, investing in the future of our highly skilled workforce and helping to deliver clean, homegrown power that we control.” Pictured: (L-R) Andy Ernest (National Grid VP procurement), Dale Ward (National Grid Head of Construction Strategy), Nick Fletcher (Murphy UK MD), Mark Lissimore (National Grid Director of Infrastructure Delivery) and Liam Corr (Murphy Energy MD). HIGHLIGHTS Partnership will accelerate the delivery of £8 billion worth of vital substation infrastructure across England and Wales The initiative awards regional exclusivity of substation work to ETP partners based on how well they perform and their commitment to expanding their capacity It complements other pioneering initiatives in National Grid’s evolving supply chain ecosystem, including the Great Grid Partnership (GGP)
The first of eight supergrid transformers has been delivered to our Yorkshire Green project. Murphy is currently working for National Grid on the Yorkshire Green project to upgrade and reinforce the high-voltage power network and reduce the national reliance on fossil fuels. This project, part of the wider Great Grid Upgrade, includes implementing substantial protection and control changes at six different substations in the area including new changes to electronic equipment and the associated wiring. The delivery, the first of eight, is the latest milestone in project. Transformers play a vital role in helping to ensure the UK continues to enjoy safe and reliable energy supplies, stepping voltage up or down so electricity can be efficiently transmitted from power generators or safely distributed to homes and businesses via regional networks. Weighing at 200-tonnes – the equivalent of 33 African elephants, the transformer was delivered from Teesport Docks, Middlesbrough, on a specialist vehicle over 80 metres long under police escort and at low speed. Now on site, the transformer will be pushed into its final position over course of a couple of days. The remaining seven deliveries will take place between July and October to the Overton and Monk Fryston sites, with four supergrid transformers being delivered to each. HIGHLIGHTS Once operational, the transformer, weighing in at 200-tonnes – will help to change the voltage of electricity so that it can be supplied safely to homes and businesses. The delivery is part of a package of improvement works to upgrade and reinforce the network in the area - eight supergrid transformer will ultimately be delivered to substations in Overton and Monk Fryston.
Murphy has commenced work to construct the largest substation ever built in the UK. The multimillion-pound contract from National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) will see the construction of a new substation at Uxbridge Moor, which borders NGET’s existing Iver substation in Buckinghamshire, connecting new customers to the electricity network and helping to meet the significant increase in demand for electricity to the west of London.With its wide-ranging inhouse expertise and direct delivery approach, Murphy will be carrying out the broad scope of works itself – including the construction of a new 400kV substation, a new 132kV substation, ancillary facilities, underground cabling and associated modification works to the 400kV overhead line network to the new 400kV substation. Connection to the new 132kV substation will be via 132kV underground cables.The scope also consists of a new 1.2km raised access road off the A412 and other associated civil infrastructure, including a new road bridge crossing over River Alder Bourne.The substation design is gas insulated, this advanced technology will allow the team to reduce the footprint of the proposed site by around 70% compared to a traditional substation design, minimising the impact on the local area and the environment.Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy, said; “Since 1951 Murphy has been a leading provider of innovative and integrated energy solutions – today we support groundbreaking transmission and distribution projects across the four countries in which we work. “We are proud to be delivering this project in the UK’s capital and building on our strong working relationship with National Grid to help to ensure energy security for decades to come.” Laura Mulcahy, project director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Our new Uxbridge Moor substation will provide vital access to power for data centres that are at the heart of Britain’s innovation and economic growth. It will enable new jobs and investment in Buckinghamshire, and will support the UK’s digital future. “Alongside these significant benefits, we are working to keep the substation’s environmental impact to a minimum. By using the latest SF6-free gas-insulated switchgear, we’re reducing the size of this crucial site by around 70%, and ensuring its technology is sustainable and resilient long into the future.” HIGHLIGHTS Construction of both a new 400kV substation and a new 132kV substation Underground cabling and associated modification works to the 400kV overhead line network to the new substation. Construction of a new 1.2km raised access road off the A412 and a new road bridge crossing over River Alder Bourne
Murphy was proud to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony for Eastern Green Link 1 last week Eastern Green Link 1, a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), will transport green electricity for two million homes along over 190km of predominantly undersea cable linking the south-east of Scotland with the north-east of England. Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy said; “I’m delighted that Murphy will play a key role in delivering the new electric superhighway, Eastern Green Link 1. We will be responsible for the 400kV substation works package for National Grid Electricity Transmission, working collaboratively with the wider project to expand the electricity network. This project is crucial for meeting Britain’s future energy infrastructure needs and strengthening energy security”. You can read more about the project on Scottish Power’s website by clicking here. HIGHLIGHTS Eastern Green Link 1 will transport green electricity for two million homes A joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) Murphy is responsible for the 400kV substation works package
National Grid has energised a new substation in Barking, East London, to help power homes, businesses and rail services – including those forming part of the Barking Riverside regeneration of an area formerly occupied by a coal power station. National Grid worked with its principal contractor Murphy to build the substation and transfer existing circuits and connections to the new facility, ensuring no interruption to supplies. The new 132kV indoor substation connects the local grid operator UK Power Networks (UKPN) to National Grid’s high voltage transmission network, delivering electricity for distribution to 20,000 homes in the area. Local low carbon transport services are also supported by National Grid’s new substation, with power delivered to a nearby Network Rail feeder station to support electrified train routes. The substation replaces a previous 132kV facility that was built on an adjacent site in the 1950s to deliver electricity to the London grid area from the former Barking C power station. Built post-war, the original substation was designed to look inconspicuous to enemy aircraft. The new facility replaces and reinforces the old infrastructure, and features 17 bays – the equipment which enables a connection to the grid – with room for future upgrades. It sits alongside National Grid’s bigger 275kV/400kV substation to boost the resilience of electricity supply in East London as energy demands grow. In August National Grid energised the first circuit on its London Power Tunnels 2 project, on which Murphy has also been heavily involved as part of the award-winning Hochtief-Murphy Joint Venture HMJV, to help connect millions of homes to clean power. Liam Corr, managing director for Energy at Murphy, said: “Our company purpose is to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure and this project is a great example of that – we are proud to have played our part in future proofing energy supplies for the local community. Laura Mulcahy, project director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Our new Barking substation is a crucial upgrade to the electricity network in East London, and will help future proof it as electricity demand in the capital grows. “Barking has played a crucial role powering London since its first power stations were built in the early twentieth century, and with these latest network upgrades our infrastructure in the area will continue to support the energy transition for decades to come. “It’s been an exciting project to be a part of, and the team and I are delighted the new Barking substation is fully energised and connected to our network.” Andrew White, programme manager, capital programme, UK Power Networks, said: “We’re delighted to work with National Grid on this major infrastructure project serving 20,000 locals in Barking and East London. This investment will benefit residential and industrial supplies and comes as part of our commitment to reinforcing reliable energy for many years ahead.” HIGHLIGHTS National Grid’s new 132kV Barking substation is switched on in East London Substation will help UK Power Networks to distribute electricity to 20,000 homes, and Network Rail to power its electrified lines in the area New facility supports the ongoing Barking Riverside redevelopment
