---
title: "Major Projects Partnership - Preliminary Market Engagement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06b11f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b11f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b11f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b11f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED"
published: "2026-06-12"
---

# Major Projects Partnership - Preliminary Market Engagement

Buyer: NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b11f

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## Summary

National Grid UK Limited is currently in the planning stage of the Major Projects Partnership, which seeks to engage potential suppliers for works primarily involving 33 to 132kV Substation Construction, Underground Cabling, Overhead Tower Line Construction, and Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction. This procurement, covering utility works across regions such as the UKF, UKG, UKK, and UKL, is in the planning phase as of 12 June 2026. Interested suppliers have the opportunity to participate in a market engagement process, with a provisional supplier day scheduled for 25 June 2026 in Warwick. The engagement seeks expertise in substation construction, underground cabling, and related electrical infrastructure work, targeting a delivery period beginning 25 June 2027 and completing by 31 March 2033. The process highlights the importance of the upcoming Electricity Distribution 3 (ED3) price control period (2028-2033) set by Ofgem.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in civil and electrical engineering, infrastructure development, and related industries to participate in high-voltage electricity distribution projects. The scope, including potential project values ranging from £200,000 to £20 million, provides ample business growth opportunities, catering to companies capable of delivering substantial infrastructure upgrades in line with National Grid's specifications. The process is particularly suited for businesses experienced in large-scale, multidisciplinary projects, capable of providing innovative technological approaches and possessing requisite accreditations. Businesses with robust supply chain capabilities and a strong track record in similar projects are encouraged to engage, as National Grid plans to refine requirements and potentially issue formal procurement notices following the market engagement activities.

## Notice

National Grid hereby informs the market of an upcoming opportunity and to identify suppliers that may be able to supply the works required for the Major Projects Partnership and the Major Projects QUDM it will be called off from. This will include primarily 33 to 132kV Substation Construction, Underground Cabling and Overhead Tower Line Construction and Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction works. ED3 (Electricity Distribution 3) refers to the next five-year electricity distribution price control period (2028-2033), set by Ofgem, which will determine how distribution network operators (DNOs) plan and invest in Britain's electricity system. It is important because it will shape the scale, pace and delivery of network upgrades needed to support growing demand, connect new generation, and enable the transition to low carbon technologies, while ensuring services remain reliable, affordable, and responsive to customer needs. Delivery will involve close collaboration with key partners, who will play a vital role in enabling investment in infrastructure, innovation and network resilience to meet the needs of customers and communities over the coming period. Substation Construction Works under Substation Construction comprise of the following indicative list, specific to working within a live high-voltage (primarily 33 to 132kV) distribution network substation environment, with a typical project estimated between PS200,000 and PS5million: Procurement and supply chain management Subcontractor management Civil engineering Protection and control systems installation, configuration and commissioning Mechanical and electrical installation, testing and commissioning An indicative list of work types is as follows: New Build AIS/GIS AIS/GIS Substation Extension Major AIS/GIS Substation Asset Replacement Operators may be required to procure products that are to be selected from a list of suppliers that has been pre-approved by National Grid, to accept free-issue equipment and services supplied from contracts that National Grid has placed, or to accept the novation of such a contract after it has been placed by National Grid, for example: Power transformers Protection and Control Gas Insulated Switchgear Air Insulated Switchgear Consumables National Grid is currently looking at awarding these works to contractors on a regional basis. Overhead Tower Line Construction Works under Overhead Tower Line Construction comprises of the following illustrative list for Tower Overhead Line Construction works with typical project estimated between PS500,000 and PS20million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works (primarily 33 to 132kV): Consultation & Engagement Support the Client in the development of consultation materials as required Attend and present at consultation events and support the preparation of consultation responses Input into Consultation Report, liaise with Consents Integrator and engage with consultees as required Enabling Works: Pre-construction activities required before commencing the construction of main works including highway and service diversions, ground preparation and remediation, flood mitigation works, demolition of structures, soil stripping and removal, bridge construction, obtaining (including submission and payments of fees) of relevant permits and licences and environmental mitigation works Traffic management Landscaping Maintenance for agreed period of time within the planning permission and/or consent specification or as agreed with the relevant stakeholder and/or in line with Biodiversity Net Gain obligations These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally. Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction Works under Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction comprises of the following illustrative list for Wood Pole Line Construction works (primarily 33 to 132kV) with typical project estimated between PS50,000 and PS2million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works: Supply or collect free issue wood poles and install to National Grid specification Carry out all electrical works in accordance with designs for new and replacement overhead wood pole construction Traffic management These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally. Underground Cabling Works under Underground Cabling comprise of the following illustrative list for Underground Cabling Construction works with typical project estimated between PS200,000 and PS10million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works (primarily 33 to 132kV): Cable Jointing up to 132kV Provision of jointing resources for cable system installation using client-issued materials Jointing resources and equipment for non-client-issued jointing tasks Procurement and supply chain management Subcontractor management Civil engineering associated with the works Temporary works design for jointing techniques Cable Pulling: Delivery of all required cable pulling installations including supply (as required) access, cable trenches, duct installation, jointing, testing, backfilling and cable installation elements Cable Removal: Removal of existing buried HV cable equipment and any associated above ground equipment such as terminations, oil tanks or kiosks including their foundations National Grid is currently looking at awarding these works to contractors on a regional basis. Multi-Disciplinary Works These works are designed to allow Contractors to offer more than one service from the above areas as a package of works and covers the requirements of all the above works Contractors may be awarded works that covers two, three or all four of the work required in the above-described scope These works will typically include the largest and most complex of NGED's projects These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally. Scope generally applicable to all work categories Liaison with and management of the interface with any affected landowner, statutory body or undertaker during the delivery of the works (e.g., Local Highways Authority, Network Rail, Environment Agency, Distribution Network Operators) Coordinate with Lands Team for survey access Assist with S172 evidence compilation and other requirements Planning, management, delivery and reporting of all surveys required to support the project at all stages of its lifecycle, including: Site walkover surveys to verify desktop work Borehole, Perform soil, Intrusive surveys (e.g., foundation inspections), Existing asset and Utility surveys Development of outline design, associated drawings and technical reporting required for inclusion within the planning and/or consent application and the construction works information Production of design, which is in accordance with the Client's requirements, eliminates hazards as far as reasonably practicable for the whole life of the assets, facilitates a safe and efficient construction phase and gives due regard to Client's environmental and sustainability requirements Enact the role of Principal Designer in accordance with the CDM regulations 2015 for the development and/or delivery phase and formerly appoint the Principal Designer Representative as required Review the System Design Specification for completeness and identify any gaps Review any design works prior to engagement to understand any limitations and restrictions to be carried forward into the subsequent design stage Discharge relevant conditions associated with any approved planning permission and/or consent to ensure these are factored into the detailed design Proactively engage and share design information with other design disciplines involved in the project(s) to ensure that all requirements are considered such that a robust, holistic design can be achieved Effectively manage design change ensuring that appropriate communication channels are maintained and document/drawing version control well established Responsible for the detailed design, including construction and maintenance design, temporary works design and detailed electrical safety design Design management and coordination to reduce interface risk Design and provision of all temporary and permanent access to enable the construction and maintenance of the works Site Establishment: Establishment of construction welfare compounds for the delivery of the whole or parts of the project including supply and installation of site welfare facilities, fencing and site security, temporary connections for water, drainage, and electricity, and removal of site establishment upon project completion with reinstatement of disturbed ground Project & Programme Management Site management, including acting as Principal Contractor under the CDM Regulations Deliver the works in accordance with all National Grid Management of Works procedures Proactively manage, in line with industry best practise, all aspects of the works in terms of safety, quality, security and environmental compliance Liaise with all affected Landowners/Grantors affected by the works Liaise with Client site staff including operational and project delivery teams Ensure that all site records are maintained, and that site document control is properly managed Provision of all requirements to maintain a safe and secure site in line with National Grid policies and procedures Temporary Works: Design, management and provision of all temporary works required for the delivery of the scope Ensure sufficient and competent resources are deployed on the project to deliver the project in accordance with all National Grid standards and specifications Support the Client at any technical stakeholder meetings This Preliminary Market Engagement does not constitute a commitment by National Grid to commence a procurement or to award a contract.

### Planning Information

Interested suppliers are invited to provide:
• Company overview and relevant experience
• Areas of interest (Substation Construction, Underground Cabling, Overhead Tower Line Construction and Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction, Multi-discipline works or combinations)
• Details of relevant accreditations and certifications
• Examples of similar projects or services delivered
• Any innovative approaches or technologies relevant to the sector
The Document should be limited to a total of 2 pages of A4. A list of accreditations is all that is required at this stage, with validation to take place in the future tender opportunity.
Please submit to: box.ngedconstructionprocurement@nationalgrid.com
Following this notice, National Grid will:
• Conduct an in-person market engagement supplier day - to provisionally be held on 25 June 2026 in the Warwick area - with interested suppliers. National Grid reserves its right, in its sole discretion, to select attendees to this engagement day based on experience and capability. A signed non-disclosure agreement will be required to be provided prior to attendance of the day.
• Refine requirements and procurement strategy
• Issue a formal procurement notice at a later date but a formal tender is not confirmed at this point.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055906-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Dynamic |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 18 Jun 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 24 Jun 2027 - 31 Mar 2033 |
| 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 | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | Central London |
| Postcode | WC2N 5EH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 31321100 - Overhead power lines
- 45232220 - Substation construction work
- 45314300 - Installation of cable infrastructure

## Release History

- 12 Jun 2026 at 15:47 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055906-2026
- 9 Jun 2026 at 15:19 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054434-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055906-2026
  12th June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054434-2026
  9th June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-06b11f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b11f.json.