Long-term 2029 Tender
The Long-term 2029 tender is being run as a simultaneous procurement process (a bundled tender process) seeking stability, reactive power and restoration services from 2029 onwards.
This tender represents the first long-term (Y-4) tender under both the Stability Market and the Reactive Power Market.
Previously, this type of tender would have been referred to as a ‘pathfinder’. Going forward, in line with NESO’s BP2 business plan, these types of tenders will be run through the dedicated markets under our Network Services programme.
Please note, whether future long-term (Y-4) tenders will be run as simultaneous procurement processes or as separate tenders for stability, reactive power and restoration will be determined on a case-by-case basis according to system requirements and consideration of factors to allow delivery of solutions.
Tender Timeline
Step 1 – Identify requirements (Complete)
Step 2 –Expression of interest (EOI) and consultation stage – (Live)
During this stage NESO will publish its EOI pack, inviting market participants to express their interest in participating in this long-term 2029 tender. The EOI pack will include tender documents such as the technical specification, contract terms and connection requirements to allow market participants to understand the requirements of this tender and express an interest.
During this stage NESO will invite the market to provide feedback on these documents prior to the launch of the tender. As a result of any consultation feedback, the tender documents and requirements may be revised and updated prior to the launch of the tender. Only those who formally express their interest and meet the EOI stage requirements will be invited to the next stage.
Key Dates:
- Consultation feedback deadline: 17 April 2025
- EOI Registration deadline: 28 April 2025
Step 3 – Invitation to tender (Planned)
Market participants who successfully pass the EOI stage will be invited to the long-term 2029 Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage. At this stage NESO will publish its ITT pack to the registered bidders through its tender platform.
Network owners will be offered the opportunity to provide alternative solutions.
Step 4 – ITT Stage (Planned)
Those invited to tender will use this time to develop their technical and commercial tender submissions. Throughout the tender window NESO will continue to communicate with bidders by responding to queries and hosting webinars. Bidders invited to tender must return their complete tender submission to NESO by the tender submission deadline.
Step 5 – NESO Tender Assessments (Planned)
Upon receipt of tender submission NESO will assess both technical and commercial submissions alongside any counterfactual solutions submitted by Network Owners.
Step 6 – Contract Award (Planned)
Market participants whose tenders are successful as a result of NESO’s assessment will be notified and awarded contracts. Following this the successful bidders can begin work developing their solutions.
EOI documents
Note these documents are subject to change as a result of consultation feedback
| Name | Published |
|---|---|
| LT2029 Instructions to Tenderers EOI | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Contract Award Criteria EOI | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Eligibility Criteria | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Stability Service Technical Specification | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Stability Effectiveness Sheet | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Voltage Service Technical Specification | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Voltage Effectiveness Tables | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Restoration ESR Technical Specification | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 ESR Operational Metering Commissioning Assessment and Testing Guidance | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Connections Requirements | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Connections RAG | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 EOI Submission Proforma | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 NESO Confidentiality Agreement | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Non Collusion Agreement | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 Feedback Proforma | 24 Mar 2025 |
| LT2029 NESO Policies | 24 Mar 2025 |
Tender Results
To follow after completion of the tender