Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC
1 - 3 Strand
LONDON
WC2N5EH
Contact
Todd Jefferies
box.GP.UKBuyerNGET@nationalgrid.com
Telephone
+44 7929657828
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Companies House
02366977
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.6) Main activity
Electricity
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the National Grid Electricity Transmission Cable Tunnel EPC Framework Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) on the Achilles platform.
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 45000000 - Construction work
two.1.3) Type of contract
Works
two.1.4) Short description
This notice is published to advertise an upcoming procurement event led by National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET) for a new High Voltage (HV) Cable Tunnel EPC Framework.
A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be issued on or around 11 February 2025 via the Achilles platform (a qualification system established and operated under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016). All Economic Operators interested in the opportunity must be registered on one of the following UVDB Achilles codes by 10 February 2025:
3.7.5 Underground Mains Cable - 200kV & above
4.1.7 Tunnelling and Shafts
4.1.7.6 Turnkey
To register on Achilles UVDB Silver+ Subscription, please go to the following link (note that a subscription fee applies):
NGET intends to issue a PQQ via Achilles. Economic Operators must be registered with Achilles to participate in this process. For Economic Operators who may wish to participate in the procurement event as a joint venture (JV), all members of the proposed JV must be registered individually with Achilles.
Failure to register with Achilles as set out above will result in exclusion from further participation in the procurement process. Furthermore, in order to be eligible to be appointed, Economic Operators (including where relevant, individual members of any proposed JV) must attain Achilles Verify through a category B2 audit process by Framework award, which is currently forecast for March 2026.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 31321300 - High-voltage cable
- 45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work
- 45315100 - Electrical engineering installation works
- 45315400 - High voltage installation work
- 45351000 - Mechanical engineering installation works
- 71320000 - Engineering design services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
United Kingdom
- Tyne Crossing Strategic Replacement
- Southampton Water
- River Severn
- The above projects (and potentially others during the framework term) are to be confirmed subject to needs cases and regulatory funding being ratified
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NGET is the largest transmission licence holder within the UK, transmitting energy the length and breadth of England and Wales through 7,000 km of overhead line transmission networks, 2,800 km of underground cable and 350 substations to connect local distribution networks to the national grid. As such, NGET will be pivotal in delivering the UK's ambitious targets to promote energy security and the supply of cleaner, greener energy sources to reach the homes and businesses of the UK.
NGET's forthcoming Cable Tunnel Framework procurement encompasses (without limitation):
- Design and build of new tunnels and shafts for HV transmission cables (275kV+);
- Design, supply and installation of HV transmission cable systems;
- Design and build of headhouses and associated M&E equipment; and
- Design and build of cable sealing end compounds
It is anticipated the initial term of the Cable Tunnel Framework will be six years, with two options to extend by two years to give a maximum term of ten years, to cover the requirements of the T3 and T4 regulatory period (approximate and subject to change). It is expected that the following three projects will be procured through the Cable Tunnel Framework, with potential for future projects as the need arises:
Tyne Crossing Strategic Replacement - anticipated tunnel will be approximately 2km in length, 275kV and two circuits, located between ZZA 61 and ZZA71. Expected award in early 2026 (approximate and subject to change).
River Severn - anticipated tunnel will be approximately 4km in length, 400kV and two circuits, spanning the river Severn south of the Prince of Wales bridge, located between Imperial Park, Melksham and Cilfynydd, Whitson and Seabank. Expected award in late 2026 / early 2027 (approximate and subject to change).
Southampton Water - anticipated tunnel will be approximately 4km in length, 400kV and two circuits, located between Chilling and Fawley. Expected award in late 2027 / early 2028 (approximate and subject to change).
Other projects requiring the same or similar design and/or build capabilities may also be procured through the Cable Tunnel Framework .
The above projects are subject to change and NGET reserves the right to amend, postpone, or withdraw any schemes from the proposed Cable Tunnel Framework for any reason, and to add suitable schemes to the proposed Cable Tunnel Framework.
It is anticipated NGET will invite the Economic Operators registered on relevant UVDB codes to complete and return a pre-qualification questionnaire on or around 11 February 2025. The PQQ will be accompanied by more detail of the scope of the proposed Cable Tunnel Framework, and the information provided at that stage supersedes the outline detail given in this notice.
This date is indicative and may change (due to either acceleration or deceleration of the procurement programme). Please also note that NGET may elect not to launch a procurement process at all, and / or to deliver some or all of its requirements in some other way.
two.2.14) Additional information
A contract notice will not be published, NGET will use the applicable Achilles UVDB codes to issue a pre-qualification questionnaire on or around 11 February 2025 to engage Economic Operators that are registered. Date in II.3 is not applicable.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
11 February 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest
Date
10 February 2025
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English