Planning

Supplier funded renewables for Traction (DC DPPA framework)

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

26 May 2026 at 09:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is initiating a procurement process under the planning stage for a project titled "Supplier funded renewables for Traction (DC DPPA framework)" in the electricity and renewable energy sector. Located in London, UK, the procurement aims to support the transition of Network Rail's electricity supply towards renewable sources, particularly focusing on the 750 V DC third rail system in the Southern Region. Interested suppliers should express their interest to Nikki Hunter via email by 3rd July 2026, with supplier engagement scheduled to begin the week commencing 6th July 2026. The procurement launch is anticipated in August 2026, and the contract period is expected to run from 1st July 2027 to 30th June 2035. The framework is designed for a single supplier, with a projected contract value of up to £150 million, inclusive of VAT.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in renewable energy generation, including solar, wind, and storage solutions, that have proven capabilities in high-voltage integration and private wire systems. Companies capable of handling the technical and financial demands of a pilot renewable energy project, along with potential scaling across Network Rail's network, will find this framework particularly attractive. The project's scope and value open doors for growth in the utilities sector, where strong expertise in Power Purchase Agreements and the ability to operate within the constraints of an active railway environment are essential. Businesses equipped to embark on a large-scale, long-term energy transformation initiative will be well-suited to engage in this competitive opportunity.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supplier funded renewables for Traction (DC DPPA framework)

Notice Description

Background Network Rail owns, operates and maintains Great Britain's railway infrastructure, including track, signalling, electrification systems, bridges and stations. As one of the largest electricity consumers in the UK, Network Rail uses approximately 4.5 TWh per annum (c.4.1 TWh traction and 0.45 TWh non-traction). In support of the UK Government's Net Zero by 2050 commitment, Network Rail is seeking to transition its electricity supply towards renewable sources. Scope of Opportunity Network Rail's electrified network includes: * 25 kV AC overhead line systems * 750 V DC third rail systems (Southern Region and Merseyrail) This procurement relates exclusively to the 750 V DC third rail network. The Southern Region DC traction power system comprises: * ~40 grid connection points supplied by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) * A 33 kV (predominantly) three-phase distribution network, with limited 11 kV sections * Around 300 substations with transformer rectifier units converting AC to 750 V DC * A highly variable load profile driven by train operations * Network control via SCADA systems from electrical control rooms Opportunity Description Network Rail is exploring opportunities to integrate renewable energy generation "behind the meter", directly connected to its 33 kV distribution network to supplement existing DNO supplies. An export limitation scheme will be implemented to prevent excess energy being exported to the grid. The intent is to procure energy through a Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) under a supplier-funded model. Supplier Requirements Network Rail is seeking expressions of interest from organisations that can demonstrate: * Proven capability in renewable generation development covering various technologies (e.g. solar, wind, storage, or hybrid solutions) * Experience with private wire / behind-the-meter connections and Power Purchase Agreements * Strong technical expertise in high-voltage integration (33 kV or similar) * Sufficient financial capacity to deliver a pilot scheme and support potential wider rollout * Ability to work within operational railway constraints Programme * Pilot project to be developed as an initial phase * Subject to success, potential rollout across the wider DC traction network of up to 40GWh p.a * Procurement launch anticipated: August 2026 * This will be a single supplier Framework. Next Steps Interested parties should submit an expression of interest via email to: nikki.hunter@networkrail.co.uk

Planning Information

Suppliers should express an interest to Nikki.hunter@netwrokrail.co.uk by 03/07/2026. Supplier engagement on contract conditions and scope will take place w/c 06/07/2026 via correspondance.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a2c1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048461-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

09300000 - Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£125,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Aug 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2027 - 30 Jun 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE 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
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8SW
Post Town
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06a2c1-2026-05-26T10:01:47+01:00",
    "date": "2026-05-26T10:01:47+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06a2c1",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PNZN-9524-VCQJ",
            "name": "NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PNZN-9524-VCQJ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Waterloo General Office",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SE1 8SW",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI45"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Nikki Hunter",
                "email": "nikki.hunter@networkrail.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.networkrail.co.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PNZN-9524-VCQJ",
        "name": "NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Suppliers should express an interest to Nikki.hunter@netwrokrail.co.uk by 03/07/2026. Supplier engagement on contract conditions and scope will take place w/c 06/07/2026 via correspondance.",
                "dueDate": "2026-07-03T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "048461-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048461-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-26T10:01:47+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06a2c1",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Supplier funded renewables for Traction (DC DPPA framework)",
        "description": "Background Network Rail owns, operates and maintains Great Britain's railway infrastructure, including track, signalling, electrification systems, bridges and stations. As one of the largest electricity consumers in the UK, Network Rail uses approximately 4.5 TWh per annum (c.4.1 TWh traction and 0.45 TWh non-traction). In support of the UK Government's Net Zero by 2050 commitment, Network Rail is seeking to transition its electricity supply towards renewable sources. Scope of Opportunity Network Rail's electrified network includes: * 25 kV AC overhead line systems * 750 V DC third rail systems (Southern Region and Merseyrail) This procurement relates exclusively to the 750 V DC third rail network. The Southern Region DC traction power system comprises: * ~40 grid connection points supplied by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) * A 33 kV (predominantly) three-phase distribution network, with limited 11 kV sections * Around 300 substations with transformer rectifier units converting AC to 750 V DC * A highly variable load profile driven by train operations * Network control via SCADA systems from electrical control rooms Opportunity Description Network Rail is exploring opportunities to integrate renewable energy generation \"behind the meter\", directly connected to its 33 kV distribution network to supplement existing DNO supplies. An export limitation scheme will be implemented to prevent excess energy being exported to the grid. The intent is to procure energy through a Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) under a supplier-funded model. Supplier Requirements Network Rail is seeking expressions of interest from organisations that can demonstrate: * Proven capability in renewable generation development covering various technologies (e.g. solar, wind, storage, or hybrid solutions) * Experience with private wire / behind-the-meter connections and Power Purchase Agreements * Strong technical expertise in high-voltage integration (33 kV or similar) * Sufficient financial capacity to deliver a pilot scheme and support potential wider rollout * Ability to work within operational railway constraints Programme * Pilot project to be developed as an initial phase * Subject to success, potential rollout across the wider DC traction network of up to 40GWh p.a * Procurement launch anticipated: August 2026 * This will be a single supplier Framework. Next Steps Interested parties should submit an expression of interest via email to: nikki.hunter@networkrail.co.uk",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "09300000",
                        "description": "Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 150000000,
            "amount": 125000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "specialRegime": [
            "utilities"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-07-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2035-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-08-10T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}