MWH to support United Kingdom's National Grid program

National Grid expects to invest more than $16 billion in electricity and gas transmission networks in the United Kingdom in the coming years, driven by the connection of new sources of electricity generation and the pipelines needed to import more gas as North Sea supplies decline. Many transmission assets are also reaching the end of their planned lives and need to be replaced.

To help manage these huge investments in the U.K., National Grid has awarded global program management firm headquartered in Broomfield, Colo., MWH, a major contract to establish a Program Management Improvement Team. The team will bring together people from MWH and National Grid to develop and implement initiatives to enhance National Grid's program delivery. The ultimate aim is to grow National Grid's in-house program management capabilities.

Neil Pullen, National Grid's Head of Business Planning, and Construction, commented: "The U.K.'s energy industry is undergoing a revolution in the coming years and a long period of significant investment is required. We must continue to demonstrate improved efficiency and value for money for our customers."

"Program delivery has always been a key skill for us, but to meet these challenges we want to introduce new techniques and practices to help us optimize the value from our future construction program. MWH was chosen to help us develop and deliver our programs both for its track record in program management and the innovative tools and systems it has developed for its clients."

The program management initiatives will include:

  • The selection and implementation of a consistent program planning and management approach to fully integrate National Grid's portfolio of projects.
  • Establishing a strategic program management capability to fully optimize delivery across the entire National Grid portfolio of U.K. transmission construction work.


Simon Bimpson, MWH Director says, "We are delighted to have the opportunity of working with National Grid on one of the largest infrastructure investment program in the U.K. We will be using our expertise in program management to support and enhance National Grid's program management capabilities as well as helping it to increase its delivery capability in electricity transmission and enhance delivery capability in gas transmission, improve efficiency and create increased value for National Grid and its customers."