Make UK Launches Call to Electrify Industry and Boost UK Investment

Make UK is calling for a shift towards electrifying the industry and boosting investment in the UK.

According to Make UK’s newly launched Electrify Industry initiative, moving UK industry from gas to electricity within a competitive pricing framework could create up to two million jobs and generate a whopping £100 billion in value for local communities across the nation.

This initiative was unveiled this week at the Houses of Parliament and aims to unite some of Britain’s most innovative industrial businesses to speed up the process of industrial electrification. Notable participants include AMP Clean Energy, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Babcock Wanson, Brush Group, Confederation of Paper Industries, Spirax Sarco, GEA, RenewableUK, and Numatic.

However, despite the potential benefits, high electricity costs pose a significant hurdle. The UK currently has the highest industrial electricity prices in the OECD—three times more than France, 60% higher than Germany, and four times those in the United States. These price differences put British manufacturers at a serious disadvantage.

Tackling these cost issues could unleash tremendous economic opportunities. Data from Electrify Industry indicates that reforming industrial electricity pricing could lead to the creation of up to two million jobs and provide £100 billion in economic benefits to towns and cities throughout the UK.

Laura Sandys, Chair of Electrify Industry, shared her thoughts:

“Creating the right environment for electrification will empower the UK’s industrial sector to train thousands of engineers—an essential element in achieving the Government’s ambitions for growth and Net Zero.

Industrial electrification is crucial for revitalising UK manufacturing and establishing Britain as a global leader in innovative, sustainable production.

However, grid connectivity remains a significant challenge. Approximately £3 billion of potential investment is currently on hold due to long waits for grid access—this is hindering productivity, job creation, and business modernisation.”

Sandy highlighted the importance of aligning electricity prices with global standards:

“To really make this electrification revolution happen, we need electricity to be competitively priced compared to other energy sources and international markets. This is a crucial step for securing the future of British industry and driving growth across various sectors.”

Sarah Coombes, the MP for West Bromwich, who also spoke at the event, shared this view:

“As someone who represents a proud manufacturing constituency, I wholeheartedly support the move towards industrial electrification. This shift will not only create new job opportunities but also draw in investment to our industrial heartlands, all while supporting the Government’s wider objectives of economic growth and clean energy innovation.”

The Government is currently looking into policy measures to lower industrial electricity costs—an essential strategy if the UK wants to maintain and expand its manufacturing base in a fiercely competitive global market.