Industrial dialogue sets agenda for West Midlands’ energy future

Industrial leaders, energy experts, and regional policymakers gathered at the University of Birmingham this week for a landmark event aimed at powering the next chapter of growth and innovation in the West Midlands.

Hosted in partnership with the Black Country Industrial Cluster (BCIC), the dialogue brought together more than 40 participants to address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: ensuring timely, affordable access to clean electricity for industry.

The dialogue followed the BCIC Annual Conference, where regional and international case studies sparked fresh thinking on industrial growth, setting the tone for collaborative dialogue across the West Midlands and beyond.

The West Midlands is renowned for its legacy of invention and manufacturing, and today, its businesses are at the forefront of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

With most industrial sites relying on distribution-connected electricity, and hundreds of new generation and storage projects in the pipeline, the region is primed for investment and change.

We are helping deliver the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy by making it easier and faster for local industries to access affordable, reliable electricity. Its approach centres on smarter connections, better use of existing infrastructure, and practical support for energy efficiency and flexibility.

The event provided a platform for local voices to shape how energy infrastructure can best support growth, productivity, and decarbonisation.

Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Electricity Distribution, said:

“As the distribution network operator for the West Midlands, our role is crucial in powering industries and supporting economic growth. We want to be proactive in helping businesses make better use of their existing electricity connections, support on-site renewables and energy storage, and plan for the infrastructure they’ll need to grow.

“Together, we can unlock opportunities today while ensuring that local voices shape our investment strategy for the future, allowing our ED3 business plan to truly reflect the ambitions of the West Midlands.”

Matthew Rhodes, CEO of the Black Country Industrial Cluster, said:

“The industry and economy of this region has been built on easily-accessible energy for hundreds of years. The coal and gas of the past is now being replaced by clean electricity, and our bedrock industries expect electricity to be available to support their growth as easily and cost-effectively as the fossil fuels they’re used to. They often face significant investments and challenging projects to switch production processes over to electricity, and a responsive and helpful network operator is always appreciated. The transition to clean growth is probably the biggest challenge facing this region over the next decade.

“It’s really encouraging to see National Grid Electricity Distribution stepping up to the plate and taking this initiative. There is no doubt that they are a key partner in delivering industry-led clean growth and quality jobs for this region.”

Kate Ashworth, Energy Infrastructure Lead at WMCA, added: “Timely and cost-effective access to energy infrastructure will be critical for the success of our regional industrial sector. Working closely with NGED will ensure that the underlying infrastructure can be delivered in a way that supports our twin aims of net zero by 2041 and clean inclusive growth.”

Throughout the afternoon, our Distribution System Operator and connections teams and Primary Network Design (PND) and 11kV engineers were on hand to discuss practical solutions - from making better use of existing infrastructure and enabling on-site renewables, to unlocking grid flexibility and supporting long-term energy contracts. The dialogue was a step towards ensuring the West Midlands remains a powerhouse of innovation, resilience, and opportunity.