AMPS urges government to back power systems industry in Autumn Budget to help reindustrialise Britain
Posted by: electime 24th September 2026
Ahead of the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026, the Association of Manufacturers and suppliers of Power systems (AMPS) has set out four areas where it wants government action to support reindustrialisation.
AMPS welcomes Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s promise to “reindustrialise Britain”, but says the government must address energy capacity, manufacturing, skills and regulation to create the conditions for growth.
Commenting on AMPS’ four priorities for reindustrialising Britain, Neil Smith, Director General of AMPS, said:
“The government simply cannot achieve its ambitions for manufacturing and construction growth without improving energy capacity and bringing more skilled people into these industries. It needs to support the British businesses capable of providing the equipment and expertise required.
“AMPS is already working with partners, including Make UK, to scrutinise and guide emerging policy so that our members’ expertise is reflected in the government’s welcome plans for reindustrialisation.
“That is ultimately what we need from the Autumn Budget: announcements backed by a willingness to work with the power generating systems industry on the long-term task of reindustrialising Britain.”
AMPS’ four asks from government:
1) An energy system ready for reindustrialisation
The grid is already struggling with today’s power demands. If we see significant growth in manufacturing, which is more energy-intensive than many other industries, reliable and affordable energy supplies will become even more important.
We can already see the impact of our current grid constraints, which hold up everything from housing developments to data centre construction. Some sites simply don’t have the necessary power connection.
The basic structure of our national grid has changed very little in decades and redeveloping it to meet current and future demand could take 20 years. Yet the government appears keen to reshore some manufacturing before the next general election. To make that possible, along with Britain’s ambitious housing construction targets, it will need to support local on-site generation while the wider grid is reinforced.
We support the UK’s decarbonisation targets, but the current grid cannot support the transition to net zero alongside manufacturing growth and new housing within the government’s proposed timescales. In fact, greater electrification will place even more demand on the grid.
Reinforcing the grid must also make it more resilient, so factories and essential services can keep operating as demand grows. While the national grid is strengthened, local and distributed generation can provide additional capacity, while standby power can protect businesses and critical infrastructure when the grid fails.
Our ask: Back on-site and local generation while the grid is reinforced, and set out a national energy plan, developed with industry, that increases capacity and builds resilience.
2) Backing for British power generating systems manufacturing
AMPS members manufacture some of the best-quality backup power and resilience equipment in the world. Many manufacture in the UK but export the bulk of what they produce around the world. With the support of a growing UK market, these businesses could increase production and grow their exports. However, they need the right conditions to remain internationally competitive.
Demand for resilient power generating systems is only going to increase as more data centres are built and countries around the world strengthen their energy infrastructure.
Our ask: Recognise the power generating systems industry within the government’s reindustrialisation plans, offering support that helps British manufacturers grow at home and remain internationally competitive.
3) More support for apprenticeships
Infrastructure projects are already being delayed because there aren’t enough skilled workers available. If manufacturing grows, those skills will be spread even more thinly across factories, installations and maintenance projects.
Although the government has acknowledged that apprenticeships are crucial to resolving the current shortage, our members feel they need additional funding and guidance to create more opportunities for young people.
Our industry offers fulfilling, well-paid careers with long-term prospects and many of the jobs cannot be replaced by AI or automation.
However, most young people don’t know what the power generating systems industry can offer. We want future engineers and technicians to know about these careers before they enter the workplace, with a clear route into the industry and recognised qualifications once they arrive.
Our ask: Give employers more funding and guidance to take on apprentices, and back a nationally recognised qualification for generator engineers.
4) A national level playing field for regulation
We support giving regions more power where local decision-making can help energy projects move faster.
However, devolved decision-making must not lead to each region creating its own environmental and technical standards. That would cause confusion, delays, increase costs and create a postcode lottery for businesses operating across the country. We can already see this problem in Europe. In parts of Germany, individual cities and regions have introduced different emissions requirements for standby generators, creating a patchwork of standards.
AMPS welcomes appropriate regulation of standby generators, but the rules need to be consistent across the UK and aligned with European requirements. Otherwise, British manufacturers could face one set of rules at home and another when exporting their equipment.
Our ask: Commit to setting all future power generation equipment standards and regulations at UK level, aligned with emerging European standards, so British manufacturers work to one rulebook at home and abroad.
