--- title: "Technical Preparedness Study - Hydrogen Blends in the Northern Ireland Gas Distribution Networks" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "FIRMUS ENERGY (DISTRIBUTION) LIMITED" published: "2025-02-21" --- # Technical Preparedness Study - Hydrogen Blends in the Northern Ireland Gas Distribution Networks Buyer: FIRMUS ENERGY (DISTRIBUTION) LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9.json) ## Summary Firmus Energy (Distribution) Limited (Firmus Energy Networks) is initiating a procurement process for a technical preparedness study on hydrogen blends in the Northern Ireland Gas Distribution Networks. This tender falls under the research services category and is being conducted through an open procedure as per the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016. The project aims to evaluate the readiness of Northern Ireland's gas distribution infrastructure to integrate hydrogen and natural gas blends. The tender period concludes on 18th April 2025, with subsequent bid opening and award stages on the same day. The estimated commencement of the contract is 1st August 2025. Interested parties must register their details to obtain procurement documentation. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialised in technical consultancy, particularly those with expertise in gas distribution and hydrogen technologies. Small to medium-sized enterprises with capabilities in materials testing, equipment performance verification, and safety assessments will find this contract highly beneficial. Such businesses can leverage this project to showcase their innovations and increase their visibility in the energy sector. Given the project's strategic importance in the pathway to decarbonise the Northern Ireland gas network by 2050, the successful bidder will play a crucial role in pioneering the adaptation of renewable gas technologies. ## Notice The Northern Ireland Gas Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) (i.e. firmus energy (Distribution) Limited (firmus energy networks), Phoenix Energy Group Limited and SGN Evolve Network Limited), along with Transmission System Operators - Mutual Energy and Gas Networks Ireland (UK) - have established a pathway to decarbonise the NI Gas Network by 2050. To support this pathway, we have developed an extensive programme of research projects to support our preparations to accommodate large volumes of renewable gas. The objective of this project is to establish the readiness of NI's gas distribution networks to accept hydrogen and natural gas blends including assessment of pressure reduction stations, primary meter installations and the impacts on larger end user downstream systems. The project will aim at the outset, to maximise the draw down of relevant evidence and data from publicly available hydrogen related trials, testing and research work and other industry sources thus enabling focus to be placed on identifying and addressing gaps in data, equipment performance verification and materials testing that are specific to the NI gas distribution networks. The NI DNOs are therefore seeking a qualified and suitably experienced consultant to establish the technical and safety readiness of the NI distribution networks and end user downstream systems to accept hydrogen. Whilst the immediate priority is to identify the limits of existing gas infrastructure and end user downstream systems for hydrogen blends of up to 20% by volume, this project work shall not preclude consideration of 100% hydrogen where this can be practically, and cost effectively covered in assessments and investigative works. The final outcome of this project is expected to be a detailed and comprehensive report on the current hydrogen ready status of NI gas networks and metering assets that identifies and quantifies safety risks and mitigations, with a prioritised and cost estimated roadmap outlining the requirements for network modification or replacement, recommended areas of further testing/research work and associated expenditure, as necessary, to safely facilitate injected hydrogen. ### Lot Information Lot 1 This tender process is being led by firmus energy networks, using the open procedure in accordance with Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended), for the benefit of itself, Phoenix Energy Group Limited and SGN Evolve Network Limited (the NI DNOs). firmus energy networks is seeking to enter into a Contract with a Service Provider to conduct a technical preparedness study for the benefit of the NI DNOs. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006527-2025 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 21 Feb 2025 | | Submission deadline | 18 Apr 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | FIRMUS ENERGY (DISTRIBUTION) LIMITED | | Locality | ANTRIM | | Post town | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT41 4LZ | | Country | Northern Ireland | | ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland | | ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland | | ITL 3 | TLN0D Antrim and Newtownabbey | | Local authority | Antrim and Newtownabbey | | Electoral ward | Antrim Centre | | Westminster constituency | South Antrim | | Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73110000 - Research services ## Release History - 21 Feb 2025 at 09:20 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006527-2025 ## Notice URLs - https://www.firmusenergy.co.uk/ - https://www.firmusenergy.co.uk/publications/category/tender-opportunities ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9.json.