Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has welcomed the approval of a new datacentre in west London, but warned that rapid expansion must be matched by sufficient grid capacity and a skilled electrical workforce.

ECA said datacentres can bring major economic opportunities for UK engineering services businesses, from construction and installation to long-term maintenance and specialist technical work. However, councils and government must ensure projects are planned responsibly, so they do not place unsustainable pressure on local electricity networks or compete with other national priorities, such as housing and clean energy infrastructure.

ECA has already begun work with industry and government on the skills and supply chain challenges linked to datacentre growth. Its recent datacentre skills roundtable, held with BESA, brought together senior business leaders, government departments, Skills England, industry bodies and major contractors to discuss workforce planning, competence, apprenticeships, commissioning and routes into the market. 

Another ECA initiative – Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliances (ETCAs) – bring together ECA Members, training providers, regional authorities, industry bodies and other stakeholders to address local electrical skills issues. The fourteen regional ETCAs established so far include the Thames Valley and Local London which covers east London and surrounding areas. 

Andrew Eldred, Managing Director at ECA, said:

“Datacentres are critical to the UK’s digital economy and can create significant opportunities for electrical and engineering services businesses.

“But they must be delivered safely, sustainably and with proper regard for local grid capacity. These are complex, safety-critical projects that depend on competent businesses and properly skilled workers.

“ECA supports responsible datacentre growth. We want our Members to be at the heart of this opportunity, but it must not come at the expense of grid resilience, local communities or other national infrastructure priorities.

“That is why ECA is already working with Members, national and local government, skills bodies and industry partners to identify the workforce and supply chain measures needed to deliver this market at scale.”

• ECA has a programme focused on major growth sectors and is inviting expressions of interest wishing to participate in future sector groups covering datacentres, defence, healthcare, housing, off-site manufacturing, retail, the Warm Homes Plan, and water and waste treatment.
• These groups will help ECA Member businesses understand emerging opportunities, build industry connections and influence the issues that will shape future markets. 
• Firms interested in joining future activity should contact businesssupportdl@eca.co.uk.