Eight firms picked for £640m National Grid cable installation framework

Balfour Beatty and OCU are among eight contractors appointed by National Grid to a new cable installation framework with a total potential value of up to £640m.

The open framework covers electricity cable projects across its transmission, distribution and other UK businesses, Construction News’ sister publication New Civil Engineer reports.

The framework will be available for use by National Grid UK and its group subsidiary companies, including National Grid Electricity Transmission, National Grid Ventures, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) East Midlands, West Midlands, South West and South Wales.

The procurement covers the full installation of 66kV, 132kV and lower-voltage cable circuits, together with associated earth wires, continuity conductors and National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) telecom ducts.

Contractors will also be responsible for jointing, testing and commissioning on individual routes and projects.

The framework is expected to run from 13 July until 12 July 2027, with the option of a 12-month extension to July 2028.

The works will cover projects in the East Midlands, West Midlands, South West England and Wales.

According to the contract notice, the successful contractors will deliver “the full installation of 66kV, 132kV and/or lower voltage cable circuits and associated earth wires / continuity conductors and NGED Telecom ducts inclusive of all jointing, testing and commissioning as specified for the individual route/project being tendered for”.

Eight firms picked for £640m National Grid cable installation framework | Construction News