--- title: "SONI074 DS3 System Services - Volume Capped - Gate 14" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f475" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f475" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f475.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f475.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "SONI LTD" published: "2026-03-25" --- # SONI074 DS3 System Services - Volume Capped - Gate 14 Buyer: SONI LTD Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f475 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f475) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f475.json) ## Summary SONI Ltd, a private utility company based in Belfast, United Kingdom, has completed the procurement stage for the DS3 System Services – Volume Capped – Gate 14 project. The primary industry category is energy and related services, governed under Northern Irish devolved regulations. The procurement method used was the open procedure, with awards announced on 25 March 2026. The contract period starts on 8 April 2026 and ends on 30 September 2026, following a scheduled standstill period concluding on 7 April 2026. This tender covers various lots, including primary, secondary, and tertiary operating reserves, replacement reserves, ramping margins, and fast frequency response services, contributing to the project's aim to increase System Non-Synchronous Penetration (SNSP) from 50% to 75%. This procurement offers significant business growth opportunities primarily for large-scale energy service providers capable of delivering complex system services. Companies like Wheelhouse Energy (NI) Limited and Altamuskin Windfarm Limited have already been identified as prospective suppliers due to their capacity to provide primary operating reserves and fast frequency response capabilities. There is a provision for contract renewal, allowing for extended collaboration beyond the initial term, which can stimulate sustained business relationships and technological advancement. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in non-synchronous generation and innovative energy solutions can also benefit by aligning their offerings with the transparency and compliance requirements outlined in the tender's technical and legal criteria. ## Notice Following review by the Regulatory Authorities of the TSOs' Report on Ensuring a Secure, Reliable and Efficient Power System in July 2011 the TSOs were requested by the SEM Committee to put in place a programme of work to solve the challenges associated with increased levels of penetration of variable non-synchronous renewable generation. In response the TSOs formally commenced the DS3 Programme in September 2011. The overall aim of the DS3 Programme is to put in place the required changes to system policies, system tools and system performance to meet the challenges of operating the electricity system in a secure manner while achieving the 2020 renewable electricity targets. A key aspect of this operational challenge is the increase of System Non- Synchronous Penetration (SNSP) from the 2011 limit of 50% to 75%. ### Lot Information POR L1NI - Primary Operating Reserve Primary Operating Reserve or 'POR' has the meaning given to it in the grid code Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. SOR L2NI - Secondary Operating Reserve Secondary Operating reserve or 'SOR' has the meaning given to it in the grid code Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. TOR1 L3NI - Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve Tertiary 1 operating reserve or 'TOR1' has the meaning given to it in the grid code. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. TOR2 L4NI - Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve Tertiary 2 operating reserve or 'TOR2' has the meaning given to it in the grid code Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RRD L5NI - Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised) RR (De-synchronised)' means replacement reserve provided by the providing unit when: (i) not Synchronised to the power system in the case of a synchronous providing unit, or (ii) when connected to the power system and operating at a level less or equal to 0 MW in the case of an energy storage providing unit, or (ii) when connected to the power system in the case of a demand side unit Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RRS L6NI - Replacement Reserve (Synchronised) RR (Synchronised)' means Replacement Reserve provided by the Providing Unit when: (i) synchronised to the power system in the case of a synchronous providing unit, or (ii) when connected to the power system and operating at a level greater than 0 MW in the case of an energy storage providing unit or power park module. II.2.5) Award criteria Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. SSRP L7NI - Steady State Reactive Power Steady-state reactive power or 'SSRP' means reactive power capability (Leading) and reactive power capability Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. SIR L8NI - Synchronous Inertial Respons Synchronous Inertial Response (SIR) is the kinetic energy (at a Frequency of 50 Hz) of a centrally dispatched synchronous providing unit multiplied by the SIR factor (SIRF) Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RM1 L9NI - Ramping Margin 1 Hour Ramping Margin 1 is the increased MW Output and/or MW Reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within one hour of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further two hours after the one hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that three hour period. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RM3 L10NI - Ramping Margin 3 Hour Ramping Margin 3 is the increased MW Output and/or MW reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within three hours of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further 5 hours after the 3 hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that 8 hour period Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RM8 L11NI - Ramping Margin 8 Hour Ramping Margin 8 is the increased MW Output and/or MW reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within eight hours of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further 8 hours after the 8 hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that 16 hour period. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. FFR L12NI - Fast Frequency Response Fast Frequency Response (FFR) is the additional MW Output or MW reduction required compared to the pre- incident MW output or MW reduction, which is fully available from a providing unit within 2 seconds after the start of an event and sustainable up to 10 seconds after the start of the event. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027525-2026 | | Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 25 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 15 Jan 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 9 Mar 2026 | | Contract period | 7 Apr 2026 - 30 Sep 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £34,450,000 | | Lots value | £34,450,000 | | Awards value | £2,468,357 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active, Pending | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SONI LTD | | Locality | BELFAST | | Post town | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT6 9RT | | Country | Northern Ireland | | ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland | | ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland | | ITL 3 | TLN0E Lisburn and Castlereagh | | Local authority | Lisburn and Castlereagh | | Electoral ward | Moneyreagh | | Westminster constituency | Belfast South and Mid Down | | Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 5 | | Supplier names | ALTAMUSKIN WINDFARM; GRIDBEYOND (FORMERLY ENDECO TECHNOLOGIES; ORSTED ONSHORE; POWERHOUSE GENERATION; WHEELHOUSE ENERGY (NI | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 71314000 - Energy and related services ## Release History - 25 Mar 2026 at 16:39 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027525-2026 - 12 Dec 2025 at 09:47 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082303-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027525-2026 25th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082303-2025 12th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.soni.ltd.uk - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-05f475. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f475.json.