National Grid Community Relations Framework 2024

In order to achieve The Great Grid Upgrade - the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations in support of the UK's switch to clean energy - National Grid Electricity Transmission "NGET" has recently set up a new business unit "Strategic Infrastructure" to focus on the delivery of these 17 projects as well as the early stage development of other future strategically important projects.

An important element is ensuring the local communities that host our infrastructure are properly and adequately informed and consulted via robust consultation exercises and on-going engagement through both the design and construction phases. This will require the services of community relations agencies that don't simply understand the consenting process but are able to clearly articulate project opportunities with a strong command of the English - and where appropriate Welsh - language. Doing so will maintain and enhance National Grid's reputation.

This will involve innovative and flexible approaches working across multiple agencies given the complexity and stretching timescale. Depending on skills, experience, and requirements the work will be varied, such as producing best in class content, copy writing, and public narratives to organising engaging and first-rate consultations.

The pipeline of projects will continue to grow as the UK's seeks to reach net zero by 2050. This will only be realised through a revitalised transmission network which enables us to carry more clean energy to communities in every part of England and Wales.