One of the UK’s largest electricity network operators says it is hiring at the fastest pace since the 1950s, as investment accelerates to support the transition away from fossil fuels.
Scottish Power said its transmission business will need to more than double its workforce, from around 1,200 to 2,600, over the next few years to deliver major grid upgrades.
Nicola Connelly, chief executive of Scottish Power Energy Networks, told the FT: “This is the highest rate of recruitment that we’ve seen in the transmission business since probably the middle of the last century.”
She added: “Transmission was running along steadily for such a long time - now we’ve got this almost hockey-stick ramp-up.”
The hiring surge comes as network owners expand infrastructure to connect new wind and solar projects and support growing demand from electric vehicles and heat pumps.
Ofgem has approved an initial £10.3billion of electricity transmission investment between 2026 and 2031, part of a wider £70billion programme.
The Energy Networks Association said the sector currently supported about 36,000 jobs, with “tens of thousands” more needed in the coming years.