Award

Lower Thames Crossing - Low Carbon Hydrogen

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Feb 2026 at 17:44

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited is leading a procurement process for the Lower Thames Crossing - Low Carbon Hydrogen project, focused on supplying low carbon hydrogen to fuel construction equipment and machinery. The contract is valued at £32.6 million and is central to a pathfinder project exploring carbon-neutral construction methods for the new road connecting Kent, Thurrock, and Essex beneath the River Thames. This eight-year contract, with potential extensions, aims to replace diesel with hydrogen, contributing significantly to carbon reduction goals. The procurement falls under the category of industrial gases and spans regions including London and the South East of England, transitioning from tender to award phase as of 24 February 2026, with the contract period starting from 29 January 2026.

Opportunities arising from this tender include supplying low carbon hydrogen for construction purposes, which could allow for substantial business growth in the sustainable energy sector. The competitive dialogue procurement method used here is particularly suitable for SMEs, like GeoPura Ltd, that can provide innovative solutions in hydrogen storage and dispensing. Business entities focusing on clean energy and industrial gas supply are well-positioned to leverage this opportunity to expand their market presence, given the contract's long duration and strategic importance to the Lower Thames Crossing development. This initiative is a prime opportunity for businesses specialising in hydrogen technologies and industrial gases to contribute to and benefit from major infrastructure projects with a sustainable energy focus.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Lower Thames Crossing - Low Carbon Hydrogen

Notice Description

National Highways is the government company charged with operating, maintaining and improving England's strategic road networks. The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is a National Highways project that will build a new road connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex through a tunnel beneath the River Thames. It will provide much-needed new road capacity across the river east of London, alleviating congestion on the Dartford Crossing. Three Delivery Partners have been appointed to deliver the three main components of the project - Kent Roads, Tunnels & Approaches and Roads North. National Highways has designated LTC a pathfinder project that will explore carbon neutral construction. Low Carbon Hydrogen is a key element in LTC's strategy to deliver its carbon reduction targets and a key objective of this procurement is to enable a significant reduction in the use of diesel on the programme by enabling the use of hydrogen powered plant, machinery and generators. The procurement covers the supply, delivery, storage on site and dispensing of Low Carbon Hydrogen for use by the LTC appointed Delivery Partners to fuel their construction plant and equipment. Making hydrogen easily available could displace a significant amount of the diesel forecast to be used during construction. This will be an 8 year contract (consisting of a period of preparation and readiness to supply hydrogen and then 5 years of hydrogen supply) with the option to extend by up to two additional years (1+1) in the event this is required. The option to extend is included to mitigate the impact of delays to the LTC programme The Low Carbon Hydrogen contract is enabled for use by Lower Thames Crossing's Delivery Partners and by National Highways' contractors

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-482d23a8-5cc8-45ef-bc1b-67cd79014c13
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/73607517-68f9-4154-b585-b2b5dc5e5824
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive dialogue (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

24 - Chemical products

CPV Codes

24110000 - Industrial gases

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£32,600,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£32,600,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
18 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
29 Jan 2026 - 28 Jan 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORD
Postcode
MK41 7LW
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH24 Bedford
Delivery Location
TLI London, TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Bedford
Electoral Ward
Harpur
Westminster Constituency
Bedford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

GEOPURA

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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