This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

24 Feb 2026 at 17:38

Tender

12 Jul 2023 at 10:51

Tender

11 Jul 2023 at 17:17

Planning

07 Jun 2023 at 12:07

Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited, a government agency in charge of managing England's strategic road networks, is spearheading the Lower Thames Crossing project, which includes a procurement initiative focused on Low Carbon Hydrogen. The initiative aims to fuel construction machinery for the stretch connecting Kent, Thurrock, and Essex through a tunnel beneath the River Thames. Classified under the industry category of "Hydrogen," the procurement process is currently in the award and contract stage as of February 2026. The procurement method employed is competitive dialogue, ensuring a selective approach to supplier engagement. The contract, valued at £32,600,000, has been signed with GeoPura Ltd to manage the supply and storage of hydrogen, providing an opportunity to innovate with hydrogen-powered equipment and reducing diesel usage during construction. Delivery locations include Kent, Thurrock, and areas east of Gravesend and Tilbury within the UK.

The Lower Thames Crossing project presents significant growth opportunities for businesses within the hydrogen and construction sectors. Companies capable of supplying hydrogen-related goods, particularly those with innovative solutions for storage and delivery, are well-positioned to compete in the procurement process. Industrial machinery and construction businesses focusing on sustainable and carbon-neutral technologies could leverage this venture to enhance their portfolios, aligning with National Highways' commitment to reducing carbon emissions. SMEs, like GeoPura Ltd, which are agile and innovative, also stand a strong chance in this selective dialogue process, enabling participation in a project with robust governmental backing and environmental significance.

How relevant is this notice?

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.

Lot Information

Lot 1

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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03d447
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016677-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive dialogue
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

24 - Chemical products

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

42 - Industrial machinery

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

45 - Construction work

65 - Public utilities

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

09000000 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

24111600 - Hydrogen

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

42000000 - Industrial machinery

43000000 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

43200000 - Earthmoving and excavating machinery, and associated parts

43300000 - Construction machinery and equipment

45000000 - Construction work

65000000 - Public utilities

65400000 - Other sources of energy supplies and distribution

71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services

71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£50,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£32,600,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
8 Aug 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Jun 2023Expired
Award Date
18 Aug 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Highways Limited
Additional Buyers

National Highways

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
B4 6GA
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex, TLH32 Thurrock, TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

GeoPura Ltd

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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