National Grid has appointed 31 suppliers to a £600M framework covering civil engineering and building works at electricity substations across its National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) network.
The NGED Substations 132kV, 66kV, 33kV and 11kV Framework has a combined stated value of £600M excluding VAT, with the work divided across 31 contracts.
The framework will cover civil engineering and building works required for the construction of new electricity substations and the refurbishment and modification of existing sites across NGED’s distribution network.
The estimated contract period runs from 14 October 2026 to 13 October 2027, with an option for a further 12-month extension taking the framework through to 13 October 2028.
NGED is National Grid’s distribution network operator (DNO) business, responsible for operating the electricity distribution network serving homes, businesses and industrial customers across its licence areas.
According to the procurement notice, civil engineering works will frequently be undertaken within a “live” substation environment, requiring contractors to work alongside operational electrical infrastructure.
The scope includes the construction of new substations and associated buildings, as well as alterations and modifications to existing structures. Civil works will also include foundations, fencing, interceptors, drainage, access roads, trenching, general excavation and the installation of cable ducts.
Building-related works within the framework include general maintenance and repair, covering activities such as roof repairs, redecoration, joinery, guttering, glazing, trench cover replacement and the installation or replacement of doors and gates.
Contractors may also be required to undertake specialist works aimed at protecting electrical substations from extreme environmental conditions. These include measures addressing flooding, high winds and high humidity.
Individual contract values range from £3.33M to £40M excluding VAT, with the procurement notice stating that framework lot values may be shared with other lots.
The highest-value individual contracts, each worth £40M, have been awarded to Amalgamated Construction, Coombes Forestry, M Group Transport (Rail and Aviation) and Pod-Trak.
The award decision date for all 31 contracts was 1 October, with assessment summaries subsequently issued to the successful tenderers.
