ECA Blueprint for Electrification
On 29 April 2025 the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) published its "Blueprint for Electrification: Delivering the UK’s Transition to Clean Power".
Steve Bratt the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Electrical Contractors’ Association highlights that despite 'ambition, delivery is falling behind', and that the 'transition to electrification is complex... shaped by a mosaic of interconnected challenges – a shortage of competent, qualified electricians risks slowing deployment; an unstable business environment impacts supply chains; lack of consumer confidence and planning constraints hinder investment - each challenge reinforcing the next.'
The Blueprint rightly notes that much of the ambition for electrification will be in effect delivered by electrical engineers and electricians and as such it presents "...a comprehensive, practical roadmap for electrification through the lens of those who will deliver much of it: electricians... From upgrading the grid and expanding renewable generation to rolling out EV charge points and smart energy systems, electricians are at the heart of delivery. If we want electrification to succeed, we must involve the electrotechnical industry and confront the practical barriers slowing progress and take decisive action to remove them."
Electricians are the most trusted advisers in the UK when it comes to clean energy technologies like solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicle chargers, according to new YouGov polling commissioned by ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association), in collaboration with electrical certification body Certsure.
The findings in the Blueprint for Electrification show:
- Almost a quarter (24%) of UK adults say they would trust a qualified electrician more than any other source – including authorities – to advise on which clean technologies to choose.
- There is particularly high trust amongst the youngest respondents (18-24: 35%).
- It is strongest in the East Midlands (28%) and Northern Ireland (30%).
- Government agencies, such as Ofgem, are the second-most trusted at 18%, with the strongest trust among slightly older respondents (45-54: 21%) and social grade ABC1 (20%).
The report runs through the issues heading by heading and recommendation by recommendation: The value of electricians, the consumer perspective and why an acceleration to electrification is needed. How electrification can be carried out, from policy clarity and direction to workforce capacity and skills. From supply chain changes to supportive regulation, electricity pricing, planning and grid connections. As well as the importance of supporting a fairer business environment, helping build consumer confidence and better understanding of the issues for consumers.
To turn ambition into action ECA’s Blueprint outlines ten recommendations for the UK government, calling for electricians to be placed at the heart of net zero strategies to accelerate electrification in homes, businesses, and communities. The ten recommendations are outlined below for for full details and descriptions download the full report here.
- Deliver long-term policy certainty
- Establish a cross- government
- Reform skills and apprenticeship pathways
- Tackle the electrical workforce shortage
- Secure critical supply chains
- Align and simplify regulations
- Reform electricity pricing
- Accelerate planning and grid connection reform
- Strengthen the business environment for electrification
- Improve consumer awareness and confidence
Elements of this article appear on the ECA news and blog site as 'Electricians revealed as UK’s most trusted source for green home advice, new ECA report finds' whilst quotations are taken from the full report 'Blueprint for Electrification: Delivering the UK’s Transition to Clean Power ' both dated 29 April, 2025
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 600 million investment for 60,000 more skilled construction workers announced.
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
- Carbon.
- Carbon capture and storage.
- ECA progress on Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter.
- Electrical and energy industry calls for urgent reform of electricity levies.
- Electricity.
- Electrification.
- Energy balancing.
- Energy supply.
- Energy white paper.
- Net zero and green jobs.
- Net zero carbon 2050.
- Power generation.
- Renewable energy.
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”