National Grid starts work on new substation

National Grid, the UK's largest electricity distribution network, is starting work on its new Uxbridge Moor substation in Buckinghamshire which will connect over a dozen new data centres to its network. The new site forms part of National Grid’s upgrade to its transmission network to meet growing demand for electricity, ensuring it can continue to support the growth of new sectors such as data centres as well as the economic and employment benefits they can bring. The site will feature two substations – one 400kV and one 132kV – both of which will be indoor gas-insulated facilities (GIS), reducing the footprint of the development by around 70% and minimising its impact on the environment. Uxbridge Moor will be among the first GIS substations in the country to be free of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a commonly used electrical insulator that is also a potent greenhouse gas. Using an alternative insulating gas means the project marks another key step towards National Grid’s ambition to reduce SF6 emissions from its network by 50% by 2030. Principal contractor Murphy will build the Uxbridge Moor substation, as well as delivering ancillary facilities, underground cabling, and associated work to connect the 400kV substation to the nearby overhead transmission line. National Grid is planning £35 billion of investment between 2026 to 2031 to connect both large sources of demand (such as data centres and gigafactories) and new sources of electricity generation (such as wind and solar). The requests from data centres to connect at Uxbridge Moor will require around 1.8GW of new capacity, equivalent to adding a mid-sized city to the grid on the outskirts of London. When built, it will be the largest new substation on National Grid’s network by gigawatt capacity. The new substation site borders National Grid’s existing Iver 400kV substation in Buckinghamshire, which has reached capacity and cannot be expanded to meet the demand from data centres and other customers for connections in the area. Energy Minister Michael Shanks says, “Upgrades to the electricity network like this are at the heart of building the industries of our future and support our Plan for Change to deliver economic growth and skilled jobs across the UK. “It comes as we progress our reforms to the grid connections queue that will speed up the time it takes to get high-growth firms, like data centres and AI hubs, plugged into the grid, while also fast-tracking projects that will scale up clean, homegrown power by 2030.” Laura Mulcahy, Project Director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, comments, “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 substations’ 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.” Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy, states, “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.” For more from National Grid, click here.

Entries officially open for ECN Awards 2025!

With the ECN Awards returning for 2025 – and the event promising to be even bigger and better than before – we are extremely excited to announce that as of today, 2 June, entries for the ECN Awards 2025 are officially open! Now in their third year, the ECN Awards were created to celebrate the very best of the electrical contracting industry in style. This year’s Awards takes place on 27 November 2025 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry. The event will be a wonderful celebration of our industry, with delicious food and drink, entertainment, and a fabulous after-party! Leading the charge in innovation, companies in the electrical contracting industry are dedicated to enhancing safety, efficiency and sustainability across all sectors, and it is vital to acknowledge their remarkable efforts and accomplishments. If you believe your product, company or project is worthy of an ECN Award, we encourage you to enter today! For a comprehensive list of categories for this year's Awards – including all of the awards within the Products, Sustainable Products, Projects, Training, and Companies categories – click below for this year's list in its entirety: https://electricalcontractingnews.com/awards-entries/ If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Simon at simon@allthingsmedialtd.com, or Kelly at kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com

Ansell Lighting launches S18 catalogue

Leading lighting designer and manufacturer, Ansell Lighting, has unveiled its S18 product catalogue, showcasing a host of new lighting innovations, customer services, and expanded support tools for electrical wholesalers and contractors. Key highlights of S18 include nine new product innovations and 212 new SKUs. Featured product launches include: · Tornado EVO: A relaunch of one of Ansell’s most popular industrial battens, the revamped Tornado EVO features a range of new features designed to improve performance and ease of installation. Now rated IP66 and IK10, it offers better protection against dust, water jets, and impact. Installation is faster and more flexible thanks to three side conduit entries, a moveable terminal block with three positions, and a disassembled base and diffuser. It will be available in 2ft, 4ft, 5ft, and 6ft sizes and backed by a seven-year warranty. · Foliar Connect: The collection includes three spike-mounted luminaires - Planter Spike, Mini Flood Spike, and Spot Light Spike - each designed to blend into landscaping while highlighting outdoor features. Available in black or natural green finishes, the range is controlled via a central hub, allowing users to add, remove, or reposition lights without additional electrical work. Offers CCT selection (3000K–4000K) and optional OCTO smart functionality. · LuxMed: A bedhead luminaire designed specifically for healthcare environments such as hospital wards. It features a single-piece body for easy cleaning and hygiene and independent control of up and down lighting to meet LG2 requirements. It comes dimmable as standard and includes a first-fix back plate for quick installation. S18 also includes details of Ansell’s bespoke LED Strip Cutting Service which aims to deliver pre-cut, pre-soldered strips tailored to customer specifications within 72 hours and including a five-year warranty. Mark Abbott, Managing Director of Ansell Lighting, comments, “S18 is more than a product catalogue - it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to innovation, service, and support. From new product launches to expanded services like our Bespoke LED cutting and OnSite Survey, we’re proud to offer solutions that make life easier for our customers.” For more from Ansell Lighting, click here.

Signify launches Interact emergency lighting system

Signify, a leader in lighting, has launched a new wireless emergency lighting portfolio and monitoring system, enabling building managers to control, monitor, and test emergency lighting and produce compliance reports through a cloud-based dashboard. Powered by Signify’s Interact connected lighting system developed for intelligent buildings, the new system adds to the testing process by automating function and duration tests, while delivering data insights and health status alerts. Interact Building Manager enables building operators to monitor and manage both general and emergency lighting through a cloud-based dashboard. This aims to support multiple testing schedules and deliver reports for regulatory documentation and reporting, as well as to simplify maintenance and to support compliance with emergency lighting standards as per local regulations. Greg Nelson, Executive Vice President, Systems & Services at Signify, says, “For building managers and maintenance teams alike, regular testing and maintenance of emergency lighting is crucial, but can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Signify’s new wireless emergency lighting portfolio and Interact Building Manager provides visibility and control over your emergency lighting with regular proof of performance to ensure compliance with relevant standards while reducing operational complexity and cost.” There are four key configurations which intend to meet the varying needs of buildings: general lighting fixtures with built-in emergency capabilities, wireless DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) extenders and sensors, wireless exit signs, and emergency lights. Everything can be commissioned and deployed under one contract and one dashboard, designed to enable cost savings and efficient maintenance and monitoring of an entire lighting system. Alternatively, emergency lighting can be installed and commissioned on its own to achieve mandatory building compliance. Greg continues, “With our connected wireless emergency lighting portfolio, building operators can find tailor-made solutions while also reducing cost, streamlining operations, and meeting essential compliance standards. Signify’s expertise in both general and emergency lighting means we can act as a single trusted partner for a wide range of customer needs.” The new wireless emergency lighting solution is being first made available in Australia and New Zealand, through the Pierlite portfolio, with it being made available in Europe in early September. For more from Signify, click here.

Time to upgrade your toolkit?

Even the most experienced electricians can fall into the habit of relying on the same old tools, but today’s cutting, gripping and stripping gear is evolving fast. Jason Cunningham, Product and Technical Support at KNIPEX, explores what to look for when upgrading your toolkit. You know your tools. After years on site, cutting cable, gripping fittings and stripping insulation becomes second nature. But even the most seasoned spark can fall into the habit of sticking with what’s familiar. In a trade where time, precision and safety all count, the tools you rely on every day should earn their place by reducing fatigue, cutting down on slips and delivering cleaner, faster results. So, what should you really expect from your cutting, gripping and stripping gear – and what might you be missing? Let’s start with the obvious. If you’re working live, or even potentially live, VDE-tested tools are non-negotiable. Any tool carrying the IEC 60900 stamp has been tested to 10,000V and rated for safe working at 1,000V. Certain markings on VDE products are vital for them to be compliant. These are the manufacturer, article or part number, the year of production, the test centre details, a double triangle symbol with 1000V and, finally, the IEC 60900. But beyond that red-and-yellow handle, the best tools do more than insulate. Technology moves on and today’s tools are designed for performance, built to cut cleaner, grip tighter and strip more accurately with less strain. Cutting Cutting tools might seem straightforward, but in practice, they’re anything but – you need clean, consistent results right up to the tip of the blade. Diagonal cutters for instance, are a toolbox staple but they need precision-ground edges and a cutting hardness of at least 60HRC. It’s this hardness that keeps the edge sharper for longer and gives you that neat, crush-free cut every time. If you’re regularly working in tight spaces, a narrow head design can make all the difference, letting you get in close but stay accurate. Diagonal cutters that have forged parts made of high-performance chrome vanadium tool steel, known for its high strength and abrasion resistance, will be exceptionally durable and stable. Chrome-plated models aren’t just about aesthetics either. That finish adds an extra layer of rust protection - handy if you’re working outdoors, and it makes the tool easier to clean at the end of the job. Grip Pipes, conduits, locking nuts, compression fittings – gripping tools are a toolbox essential. But pliers should do more than simply clamp tight. Today’s high-performance models, like the KNIPEX Cobra VDE, have self-clamping features that let you grip nuts, bolts and fittings without the tool slipping and, importantly, without requiring constant force. This is a real advantage when working in awkward positions or when both your hands are already occupied. Some of the newer pliers also offer push-button adjustment with fine-tooth settings for a perfect fit on oddly sized fittings. This helps avoid rounding off components and keeps your wrist in a more natural, strain-free position. High tooth hardness, again, is what gives you reliable grip over time. Anything around 60HRC offers strong resistance to wear without becoming brittle. Bonus points if the tool comes with a pinch guard. It won’t help with your technique, but it’ll save your fingers. And if you want to reduce the weight of your toolkit, look for tools that combine different functions. A pliers wrench, for instance, can replace the need for a whole set of metric and imperial wrenches. The KNIPEX Pliers Wrench family also have smooth jaws for a truly gentle installation, which means that you can work directly on chrome. Strip Wire stripping might be one of the most routine tasks on any electrical install, but that doesn’t make it simple. Get it wrong and you risk conductor damage, inconsistent connections or wasted cable. Get it right, and everything else, whether it’s crimping, fitting or terminating, gets easier. Manual strippers have their place, but if you have a high volume or are working with different cable types, it’s worth considering an automatic tool. The best models now self-adjust to conductor size and insulate against nicks. Some, like the KNIPEX Automatic Insulation Stripper, also offer long stripping lengths and include blade replacement options. For those moving quickly between different types of cable, like coaxial and data cable, there are also hybrid options that make it possible to dismantle and strip all standard cables in modern house wiring with one tool. The KNIPEX ErgoStrip integrates several functions for dismantling and stripping and includes internal markings so you can repeatedly and accurately strip single conductors and dismantle coax cables – no guesswork, just consistency. Tools that combine a wire cutter, wire stripper and end ferrule crimper, like the KNIPEX NexStrip, will also speed up jobs considerably. Electricians don’t need telling how to use their tools but sometimes it’s worth revisiting whether those tools are still earning their place in the bag. When you’re kneeling in a cupboard, working above a ceiling void or chasing a fault in the rain, it’s the small design choices that suddenly become essential. A slimmer head, a better grip, a clean strip, a tool that does more than one job – they save you time, reduce fatigue and frustration and help you finish the job safely and neatly.

ECN June issue out now!

The June issue of ECN is OUT NOW and packed with insights and information on the topics you care about. Read the issue here.  From the Editor Hello and welcome to the June issue of ECN. This one’s a little bittersweet for me, as it’s my last issue as Editor, as I’m moving on to pastures new. Over the past five years, it’s been an absolute privilege to lead ECN and be part of the incredible electrical industry. I can genuinely say it’s the most revolutionary, dynamic and welcoming sector I’ve ever worked in. The innovation, the energy and, most of all, the people – it’s been a real privilege to be part of it all. I’ve made some amazing connections and will truly miss being part of such a brilliant community. On a personal note, I want to give a special mention to my partner-in-crime, Kelly. Working alongside her has been one of the greatest joys of my role. From industry events to internal meetings, her passion, professionalism and deep knowledge of the sector have been inspiring. Together, we’ve achieved so much – most notably launching the ECN Awards in 2023. The event is our shared legacy, and I’m incredibly proud of what it has come to represent. With Kelly at the helm, I have no doubt it will continue to grow and thrive. I’m honoured to continue serving as an Ambassador for the Electrical Industries Charity, so you’ll still see me around on LinkedIn, championing the amazing work that the charity does. I’m happy to say that ECN will be left in safe hands – Simon Rowley, who has been working as Deputy Editor of the magazine for the past year and who was also ECN’s previous Editor – is taking over the reins. Simon is a brilliant editor and knows the magazine inside out, so it will be business as usual for our readers and clients. I wish him all the best and know he will take the magazine to even higher heights. He can be contacted at simon@allthingsmedialtd.com or 01634 673163. I’m not disappearing completely – I’ll be moving into the battery and energy storage space, so I’m sure I’ll bump into many of you again. And if you fancy staying in touch, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m not leaving empty-handed – I met my husband at ECN, so I’m taking a pretty special souvenir with me! Thanks for all the support, the laughs and the inspiration. It’s been a real pleasure. Take care and see you around. Carly Weller Group Editor

Electrical engineering firm celebrates 25th anniversary

Coming as Goole-based engineering specialist, Salko UK, celebrates 25 years of business, the mechanical and electrical solutions provider has announced it has been awarded the entire mechanical scope of work to create a new, open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) at a project in Immingham, adding to an existing portfolio of 16 clients built over the last quarter of a century. Over the last 12 months, the firm employed 161 people nationwide across its projects and is predicted to grow a further 20 percent by the end of the year. Founded by Chairman Dean Murphy and headed up by Managing Director Steve Mason, the family-business currently employs 20 full time staff at its dedicated HQ, as well as site-based specialists including site supervisors, pipefitters, electricians, quality engineers, riggers, and construction managers. Dean Murphy, Chairman of Salko UK, says, “I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating a quarter of a century of Salko UK. We’re a flagship East Yorkshire based business that operates heavily in our home patch right across the Humber, Yorkshire, and the North East whilst maintaining a strong presence on projects across the UK and Ireland. “As we look ahead to the next 25 years, we’ll be continuing our work to provide solutions for our varied roster of clients, leading the way when it comes to innovation and priding ourselves on our dynamic, customer-led service. “With a background in electrical contracting, I set up Salko UK in 2000, working from a multi-occupancy office complex located on the site of the former Goole shipyard, and it’s been a pleasure to see it grow and develop into a business consistently going from strength-to-strength. "Now working from our bespoke 3.5-acre site within the village of Spaldington, we have also developed our own fabrication and workshop facilities. The business has continued to deliver ambitious expansion plans, with industry targets widening and covering the nuclear sector alongside our continued growth in Europe and the Middle East.” Salko UK has a longstanding heritage, with its operations dating back to first working on Hatfield Colliery - one of the last operational coal mines in the United Kingdom. The company’s initial engagement in power generation began with the provision of a single mechanical fitter, working alongside the client’s in-house team. Today, Salko UK delivers integrated electrical, mechanical, and Balance of Plant (BOP) teams, reflecting its growth. Steve Mason, Managing Director at Salko UK, adds, “As the Humber region gears up for the 2030 vision for industrial decarbonisation, we’re keen to support renewable energy facilitation as a key service we excel at. "We’re incredibly excited about the pivotal change that will take place in the next decade. As a business that has flourished in the sector for 25 years we bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the projects taking place, particularly the energy project in Immingham supporting new build energy.”

New data suggests heat pumps are winning over customers

Octopus Energy, one of the UK’s largest heat pump installers, has today revealed data showing their customers prefer heat pumps to their old gas boilers. This data comes from the company's own survey of 1,700 Octopus Energy heat pump customers, with polling undertaken from September 2023 to May 2025. Among those surveyed, 94% said their heat pumps are as comfortable or more comfortable than their previous gas boilers, while 85% said they cost the same or less to run. It comes as the UK government scraps previous planning rules that slowed down heat pump adoption, which has been viewed as some as a major step in making green home heating easier and cheaper for households across the country. Previously, 41% of heat pump installations required planning permission due to a rule requiring units to be at least one metre from neighbouring properties – adding an average £347 in costs and up to 8 weeks of delays, according to Octopus Energy's data analysis of 1,388 heat pump customers who had paid deposits and completed survey works (with data taken from March 2025). While today’s planning update will make a big difference, one major hurdle remains: existing noise regulations. According to that same data analysis, around a third (35%) of installations still face delays because heat pumps must be quieter than 37dB at the nearest neighbour’s home – about the same volume as birdsong. This is especially important as, according to the data recorded from Octopus Energy's survey, 86% of households report that their heat pumps are as quiet or quieter than their noisy, gas-guzzling counterparts. Raising the noise limit by just 1dB would halve the number of homes needing to go through planning, speeding up the transition to cleaner heating for many more homes. Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy, says, “It’s great that the government has finally tackled one of the biggest hurdles to wider heat pump adoption, making it easier and cheaper for thousands more people to make the switch to green heating. “Our customers tell us loud and clear that heat pumps are quiet, cosy, and affordable – and the data backs them up. But we’re still asking them to jump through hoops because of old-fashioned noise rules, even though heat pumps are quieter than fridges and sit outside. “If we fix that last hurdle, we can get even more heat pumps into homes – cutting carbon, cutting costs, and cutting our reliance on gas for good.” Octopus is ramping up its heat pump installations, with over 50,000 new enquiries in the last three months. For more from Octopus Energy, click here.

Skilled, Scottish contractors heading south to replace foreign workers

Scotland’s largest trade association, SELECT, has warned that the UK Government’s new immigration proposals could cause an exodus of industry professionals to England and leave the sector with a skills gap. SELECT says the proposals to raise the qualification standards for foreign workers is likely to see a significant number abandoning the UK and returning home, with Scottish construction workers flooding south to fill the resulting shortage south of the border. SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson raised the concerns with First Minister John Swinney during a meeting of Scottish business leaders last week, during which he relayed apprehensions from across the construction sector. Alan says, “Raising the thresholds for skilled workers may seem on the face of it to be a laudable aim, but it is likely to be detrimental to recruitment in the major UK population areas and that means workers will be sucked in from places like Scotland. In areas such as London, it’s estimated that 50% of the workforce are from abroad, so if they leave, Scottish workers are likely to flood south to take up highly-paid jobs, leaving the domestic construction sector in crisis. “This could leave Scotland bereft of skills, with no opportunity to top up from abroad, and could lead to the worst of all possible worlds just as we need these skills to fulfil our transition to a net zero economy. This ticking time bomb could leave Scotland without enough skilled workers to build the country we need, which is why we had to bring it to the attention of government at the highest level.” The UK Government published its white paper policy document, Restoring control over the immigration system, on 12 May, proposing changes to make it harder to move to and settle in the UK, with a view to reducing immigration. Under the proposals, Labour is proposing to raise the threshold for skilled workers from Regulated Qualifications Framework 3 (RQF3) – equivalent to Scottish Highers – to RQF6, which is degree level. Alan’s warning comes after a new report by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce shows the UK is losing the skills and supply chain needed to deliver net zero, with a growing share of energy sector jobs, investment, and innovation shifting abroad. The 41st Energy Transition Survey of more than 100 firms shows that two-thirds expect to increase their headcount overseas in the next five years, with almost half saying staff were already leaving the UK to work in other energy regions. Alan – who chairs the Construction Industry Collective Voice – also pointed out that architecture schools in Scotland, who often rely on fees from abroad, may have to shut down if students choose not to study there as a result of post-qualification uncertainty. He adds, “The uncertainty the proposals contain will be particularly acute for both graduate visa holders completing their training and employers, who may see no reward in investing in graduates from abroad qualifying in Scotland. “Similarly, students may not choose to study architecture in Scotland because of the uncertainties [surrounding] post-qualification employment. This could have significant knock-on effects for architecture schools who rely on foreign students fees to make the courses viable. “The worst-case scenario is due to an absence of fees from abroad we can't sustain our own architecture schools, nor have options to attract [and] retain talent from abroad.” For more from SELECT, click here.

Ideal Heating awarded skills funding

Ideal Heating, a UK manufacturer of boilers and heat pumps, has received close to £1 million in funding to extend the training it provides to support the transition from boilers to heat pumps. The Skills Bootcamp funding will enable Ideal Heating to deliver additional courses to installers through its Expert Academy training arm. The funding, allocated by Hull City Council, should also enhance Hull-based Ideal Heating’s system design service as it helps new-build developers make a transition to heat pumps. Heat pump system design is more complex than the installation of gas boilers. For example, a heat pump installed in southern England will be specified and commissioned differently to one in Scotland, with climate and the surrounding environment both important factors to consider. Designing, specifying, and commissioning heat pumps correctly is also critical to ensure they perform in the most efficient way possible. Initially, 20 Ideal Heating colleagues will undertake heat pump system design training, as the company continues to contribute to the UK heating industry’s drive to decarbonise and accelerate the adoption of heat pumps. Ideal Heating’s Training and Design Services Director, Andrew Johnson, says, “We’re committed to supporting installers and developers to thrive in the growing heat pumps market. This Skills Bootcamp funding will enable us to re-train more installers to work with heat pumps and also enhance our heat pump system design capabilities. It will support our work to upskill heating engineers and to provide a comprehensive service to developers, enabling them to make a successful switch to low-carbon solutions.” Skills Bootcamp funding has previously supported Ideal Heating’s Expert Academy training arm in its mission to retrain thousands of installers to work with heat pumps. The funding is allocated to local authorities from the Department for Education to help bridge regional skills gaps, boost productivity, and drive growth. Expert Academy trained around 3,000 installers through in-person courses in 2024 and expanded its UK footprint to 30 training facilities during the year. This in-person provision is also supported by 'Expert Academy On Demand', Ideal Heating’s digital learning platform. In March, Hull City Council received its highest ever amount of Skills Bootcamp funding, with £10 million available in the 2025-26 financial year for businesses to deliver training to upskill existing, new, or prospective staff. Cllr Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder for Hull Training at Hull City Council, comments, “This allocation of Skills Bootcamp funding will help to extend the council’s good working relationship with Ideal Heating. We have already seen how successful Ideal Heating has been to retrain thousands of installers and it is pleasing that the council has been able to support it further. Ideal Heating is a great example of why the Skills Bootcamps Hull and East Yorkshire scheme has been so successful and long may it continue.” Ideal Heating plans to start delivering the heat pump system design training to its own team members from this summer, with the aim for this to be completed by later in the year. Once its own teams have been trained, Ideal Heating plans to offer courses in heat pump system design as part of its extensive external training provision. For more from Ideal Heating, click here.