Jacobs Expands National Grid Asset Health Role
Jacobs (NYSE: J) has been reappointed to National Grid’s Asset Health Intervention Programme, strengthening its role in the modernization of critical electricity transmission infrastructure across the United Kingdom. Under the expanded five-year programme, Jacobs will retain responsibility for the Central region while extending its work into National Grid’s Southeast and Southwest regions.
The programme is designed to renew aging transmission infrastructure and prepare the U.K. electricity network for changing consumer needs as demand for electricity continues to increase. The contract, valued at more than $13 million (£10 million), covers more than 800 transmission assets across the three regions.
As part of the programme, Jacobs will provide multidisciplinary detailed design, design assurance and construction support. Its teams will work alongside National Grid’s Asset Operations teams to safely implement upgrades on live network assets while maintaining the reliability and security of electricity supplies.
The programme will focus on the replacement and refurbishment of aging substation equipment through standardized and programmatic approaches. By applying repeatable solutions across multiple interventions, the partners aim to improve delivery efficiency, manage costs and support a more resilient transmission network as the U.K. continues its transition toward net-zero emissions.
Jacobs Executive Vice President Fiachra Ó Cléirigh said the expanded appointment reflects the company’s established relationship with National Grid and its experience delivering complex infrastructure programmes.
“Reappointing Jacobs and expanding our role across multiple regions reflects the strength of our delivery and the trusted relationship we’ve built with National Grid,” Ó Cléirigh said. “By combining global delivery capabilities with local teams, we’re helping modernize critical infrastructure while improving efficiency, scalability and long-term network resilience.”
The expanded programme comes as the U.K. electricity system undergoes significant changes. The country has substantially increased the contribution of renewable and clean energy generation over the past two decades, with the share growing from approximately 5% to 50%, according to U.K. government statistics. This shift is creating new requirements for transmission infrastructure capable of supporting a changing generation mix and rising electricity demand.
Under the programme, Jacobs will act as the sole supplier across the Central, Southeast and Southwest regions. Its responsibilities will include detailed engineering design, data collection and construction support for the replacement and refurbishment of a range of important transmission assets.
Equipment covered by the programme includes circuit breakers, disconnectors, surge arresters, instrument transformers and through-wall bushings. These components play important roles in the safe operation, protection and control of electricity transmission facilities.
Across the three regional programmes, Jacobs will support more than 1,380 asset replacements, alongside ad-hoc emergency works intended to help maintain supply security. The work will also involve the development and implementation of standardized designs aligned with National Grid requirements.
Standardization is expected to help streamline the delivery of large volumes of asset health interventions. Rather than approaching each replacement as an individual project, repeatable design solutions can be applied where appropriate, helping teams improve consistency while reducing unnecessary engineering effort and minimizing disruption to live network operations.
National Grid Operations Director Paul Gallagher said partnerships with delivery organizations are important to maintaining the performance and reliability of the transmission system.
“Partnerships such as this are a key part of how we efficiently maintain a safe, reliable and resilient system for our customers and consumers,” Gallagher said. “Our Asset Health Intervention Programme is designed to maximize the performance of our assets over their lifecycle. Jacobs is one of a number of partners supporting delivery on this important work.”
Delivery will be supported by a dedicated U.K.-based Jacobs team working in collaboration with specialists from across the company’s global organization. The integrated delivery model is intended to provide flexibility as project requirements change and allow specialist resources to be deployed across the programme.
Jacobs said the approach will also enable the company to apply consistent design practices, digital tools and automation across a high volume of interventions. Combining local knowledge with global technical capabilities is expected to support efficient execution while maintaining quality and consistency throughout the programme.
The appointment builds on Jacobs’ long-standing relationship with National Grid and adds to its involvement in major transmission and infrastructure initiatives. The company has previously supported National Grid through its General Management Consultancy Framework, which covers business service operations, as well as its Design & Project Services Framework.
The Design & Project Services Framework supports activities across the electricity and gas transmission lifecycle in the U.K. Through these programmes, Jacobs has developed experience working with National Grid on the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure projects.
The latest Asset Health Intervention Programme further extends that relationship into the renewal of existing transmission infrastructure. The focus on aging assets is particularly relevant as electricity networks adapt to increased demand, changing generation patterns and the integration of additional renewable energy resources.
Jacobs will draw on lessons from previous programmes as it delivers the new regional work. Standardized, digitally enabled design approaches will be used to establish a repeatable model for asset renewal, allowing interventions to be managed consistently across a large and geographically distributed network.
The programme also highlights the importance of maintaining existing electricity infrastructure alongside the development of new transmission capacity. As the U.K. electricity system evolves, ensuring that existing substations and network assets remain safe, reliable and fit for service will be an important part of supporting continued electrification and the country’s broader energy transition.
Through its expanded appointment, Jacobs will therefore support National Grid in addressing asset health requirements across three major regions while providing design, assurance and construction expertise. The five-year programme combines asset replacement, refurbishment, emergency support and standardized engineering solutions to help maintain the performance of critical transmission infrastructure.
The work represents another step in Jacobs’ ongoing involvement in the modernization of the U.K. electricity network and reinforces its role in supporting infrastructure investment required as the energy system becomes increasingly reliant on electricity.
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