Civil Works Within NGED Substations 132kv, 66kv, 33kv And 11kv Framework
Framework Description
National Grid's Civil Works Within NGED Substations 132kV, 66kV, 33kV and 11kV framework covers civil engineering and building works at National Grid Electricity Distribution substations. New Civil Engineer reports that 31 contractors were named on 1 October 2026 across 10 geographical lots, with a combined stated value of £600m excluding VAT. It runs from 14 October 2026 to 13 October 2027, with a possible 12-month extension to 13 October 2028.
Context & Use Case
NGED uses the framework for civils on new substations and on refurbishing existing sites across its distribution network, where work is often carried out next to live equipment. Lots follow NGED's network zones, from Redruth and Bodmin through Devon, Bristol and South Wales to the Midlands and Lincolnshire, so each contractor works in defined areas. Individual contract values range from £3.33m to £40m.
Scope of Services
Ten geographical lots across NGED's network zones New substations and buildings, and alterations to existing buildings Foundations, fencing, roads and drainage, including interceptors Trenching, general excavation and cable ducts Protecting substations against flooding, high winds and high humidity Civil works in live substation environments
Lots
10 geographical lots covering NGED network zones: Redruth and Bodmin; Plymouth, Torbay, Mid and East Devon and North Devon; Somerset, Mendip Western, Mendip Bath and Bristol; East Wales, West Wales, Swansea and Cardiff; Gloucester, Hereford and Ludlow and Worcester; Birmingham and Tipton; Telford and Stoke; Derby, Chesterfield and Mansfield and Nottingham; Coventry and Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, Leicester and Kettering; South and North Lincolnshire (31 contractors appointed)
Who Can Apply
Civil engineering and building contractors with a record of safe working in live substations. The 31 places were awarded on 1 October 2026 and applications are closed, so other contractors cannot join until it is re-procured, around October 2027 or October 2028 if extended. Subcontracting to appointed contractors is the realistic route in until then.
Buyer Benefits
Substation civils are frequent, varied in size and spread across a wide network. Geographical lots give NGED contractors with local capacity in every network zone, already checked for live-site safety, and a panel of 31 lets it run many projects at once without tendering each one. Experience of protecting substations from flooding, wind and humidity is built into the scope.
Next Steps
If you are one of the 31, build a library of substation case studies, method statements and safety data for work in your lots. If not, use the New Civil Engineer report to identify the appointed contractors in your area and approach them for subcontract work, and prepare evidence of live-substation civils for the re-procurement before 13 October 2027.
How Athena Can Help
With 31 contractors across 10 lots, appointed firms need every bid to count. Athena's bid team builds win themes around live-substation safety and programme certainty, models your likely score against rival contractors, and builds pricing that wins while protecting margin.
For contractors not appointed, our frameworks and DPS advice identifies other utility and construction frameworks open now or due soon, and our tender consultancy prepares you for the re-procurement with case studies and safety evidence gathered well in advance.
