--- title: "C150 (2027) Preliminary Market Engagement for the Supply of 110/33 kV Power and 275/110/22 kV Auto Transformers." ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited" published: "2026-10-05" --- # C150 (2027) Preliminary Market Engagement for the Supply of 110/33 kV Power and 275/110/22 kV Auto Transformers. Buyer: Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0.json) ## Summary Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIE Networks) intends to procure power and auto-transformers for use in its electricity transmission network. The proposed supply covers 110/33 kV power transformers and 275/110/22 kV auto-transformers, for delivery in Northern Ireland. This is a goods requirement for equipment used in the transmission network. NIE Networks is consulting suppliers before deciding how to run the procurement, to understand market interest and capabilities, identify potential solutions and shape an effective procurement strategy. The planned arrangement is split into two lots, one for each transformer type, and is intended to appoint a main supplier and a reserve supplier to separate framework agreements. The process is at preliminary market engagement and is not a tender or call for competition. NIE Networks is seeking supplier input through a questionnaire, with possible follow-up discussions or meetings to clarify responses and explore issues, risks and challenges. Questionnaire responses are expected by 23 October 2026; any consultations will follow the returns. NIE Networks anticipates launching the procurement in early 2027. The proposed route is a framework arrangement divided into two lots, with separate agreements intended for each transformer type. Each agreement is planned for five years, with an extension option of up to three more years. Estimated spend across all lots over the maximum potential term is up to £63 million. The pre-qualification phase is expected to use Achilles UVDB; the applicable qualification route will depend on when the procurement is issued. The requirement is suited to manufacturers and suppliers able to provide high-voltage power and auto-transformers for use in an electricity transmission network. Suppliers with capability across 110/33 kV power transformers or 275/110/22 kV auto-transformers can assess the relevant lot, while suppliers able to cover both equipment types may be relevant to both. The intended framework structure points to a sustained supply relationship and capacity to support a major utility network requirement, with a reserve supplier also envisaged. Interested suppliers should be suitably registered with Achilles UVDB to participate in the future procurement; NIE Networks advises suppliers to engage with Achilles directly and allow time for registration. Market engagement participation will not determine eligibility for the later competition, and interested suppliers will need to express formal interest when that procurement is launched. ## Notice NIE Networks intends to establish a Framework Arrangement and appoint up to one supplier plus a reserve to enter into separate Framework Agreements for the Supply of Power and Auto Transformers. The requirement is for Power and Auto Transformers used within the NIE Networks' transmission network. Each Framework Agreement will be for a period of five (5) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of NIE Networks and subject to the terms of the Framework Agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to three (3) years, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. It is envisaged that this will be a multi lot procurement exercise consisting of the following lots: Lot 1 Supply of 110/33 kV Power Transformers Lot 2 Supply of 275/110/22 kV Auto-transformers NIE Networks estimates that the total spend under framework agreements could be up to PS63 million for all lots over the total potential eight-year duration. Therefore, NIE Networks is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) supplier information event to gather insights from the market before initiating a procurement process for Contract C150 (2027) for the Supply of 110/33 kV Power and 275/110/22 kV Auto Transformers This engagement aims to assess the market's interest and capabilities in delivering Contract C150 (2027), identify potential solutions and develop an effective procurement strategy. This PME supplier information event is open to suppliers and is intended to be a collaborative effort to ensure a robust and successful procurement process. ### Planning Information Interested parties should register their interest in this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) event via eSourcingNI. https://e-sourcingni.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) envelope has been created named “pqq_4763” within Project “project_29297”. This PQQ contains preliminary information relating to the requirement and includes the PME questionnaire for Suppliers to complete. This eSourcingNI PQQ will close at 3.00pm on 23 October 2026 and NIE Networks are unable to accept submissions after this deadline. Indivual Consultations Following the return of completed questionnaires, NIE Networks may wish to explore responses further and/or seek clarification from potential Suppliers through face-to-face meetings or remote discussions. This will provide an opportunity to develop a mutual understanding of any potential issues, risks or challenges associated with the proposed procurement that may not have been previously identified. Where necessary, NIE Networks will provide further information and instructions regarding participation in PME Consultations. Consultations may consist of a presentation by NIE Networks, followed by an opportunity for Suppliers to raise questions and provide feedback. Please note that NIE Networks shall conduct Consultations in accordance with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and transparency. To that end, it is important to stress that the structure, specification and all other aspects of the procurement will not be designed to give direct or indirect advantage to any interested party and all information concerning the forthcoming procurement will be disseminated to all interested parties. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this PME Notice or the PME Questionnaire. Participation or non-participation in the PME supplier information event shall not prevent any interested parties from participating in any subsequent procurement process. ANY FUTURE PROCUREMENT This PME Notice, and the PME supplier information event, do not constitute a call for competition, selection process or a current tender opportunity. This PME Notice has been produced solely for the purpose of conducting Preliminary Market Engagement. All interested parties will need to express a formal interest in any future tender opportunity in due course. Any future procurement for these requirements will be launched separately and is currently anticipated to commence in early 2027. Subject to any future procurement, NIE Networks intends to use Achilles UVDB to conduct the Pre-Qualification phase of the process. Depending upon the time of issue of any future procurement, NIE Networks will pre-qualify Suppliers using either Achilles UVDB Qualification System Notice (QSN) governed by the Utility Contract Regulations 2016 or Achilles UVDB Qualifying Utilities Dynamic Market (QUDM) subject to the Procurement Act 2023. Therefore, any interested parties will be required to be suitably registered with Achilles UVDB (www.achilles.com/uvdb/) to participate in the future procurement process. Suppliers are strongly advised to engage with Achilles UVDB directly and allow sufficient time for the registration process. Additionally, expressing an interest in this Preliminary Market Engagement will not necessarily be a pre-requisite in respect of the future tender competition. NIE Networks reserves the right to Direct Award in the absence of competition. For the avoidance of doubt, Suppliers wishing to participate in this PME exercise must submit their response via eSourcingNI in accordance with the instructions set out above. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093816-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 5 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 29 Feb 2028 - 28 Feb 2033 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £63,000,000 | | 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 | Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited | | Locality | BELFAST | | Postcode area | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT9 5HT | | Country | Northern Ireland | | ITL 1 | Not specified | | ITL 2 | Not specified | | ITL 3 | Not specified | | Local authority | Not specified | | Electoral ward | Not specified | | Westminster constituency | Not specified | | Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting ### Codes - 31170000 - Transformers - 31172000 - Voltage transformers - 31174000 - Power supply transformers - 31213200 - Distribution transformers ## Release History - 5 Oct 2026 at 13:05 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093816-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093816-2026 5th October 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://e-sourcingni.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml - 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-0780c0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0.json.