The University of Glasgow and SP Energy Networks have unveiled a new strategic partnership, strengthening a relationship that has grown over several years.

Under the agreement, the partners will create a Cyber Defence Lab, fund doctoral research and graduate apprenticeships, and accelerate skills development across data, cyber, digital and AI to help deliver a robust, Net Zero-ready electricity system.

The collaboration draws on the organisations' combined strengths in engineering, data science, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

Jen Davies, Head of Workforce Renewal at SP Energy Networks said: "At the heart of this partnership is something deeply important to us: investing in our people and attracting new talent into our industry. Through graduate apprenticeships, PhD sponsorships, and short, specialist credentials, we're creating more routes than ever for people at every stage of their careers to develop and grow with us.

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"This collaboration will give our teams access to the latest thinking from leading academic minds. It's an approach that supports retention, builds confidence, and reinforces the long-term resilience of SP Energy Networks."

With the government's Clean Power 2030 ambitions in view, the focus will include laying foundations for Graduate Apprenticeships in core skills, bolstering research and development to support Cyber, Data and Digital programmes, and delivering a framework for knowledge exchange, innovation and project delivery.

The partners emphasise that the work will go beyond academic outputs, with teams operating side by side to co-design solutions, trial new ideas in real-world settings and explore innovation opportunities together.

From small technical pilots to large-scale collaborative programmes, the initiative aims to reinforce Britain's electricity network, improve customer outcomes and advance the UK's wider decarbonisation goals.

Professor Chris Pearce, Vice-Principal Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Glasgow said: "We're pleased to be building on our longstanding relationship with SP Energy Networks with the launch of this new strategic partnership, which will allow us to harness the wealth of expertise on both sides for the benefit of all.

"Together, we will develop valuable new opportunities for cutting-edge research and create learning and career pathways in fields that will help make the country greener and safer for years to come."