SONI Ltd DS3 System Services Contract Award Notice
Summary
SONI Ltd has published a contract award notice for DS3 System Services under the Procurement Act 2023. The notice details awards across nine lots related to operating reserves and ramping margin, with multiple suppliers selected for each lot.
What changed
SONI Ltd has issued a contract award notice for DS3 System Services, detailing the procurement of various operating reserve and ramping margin services. The notice, published under the UK's Procurement Act 2023, specifies awards across nine lots, with multiple suppliers identified for each, including Altamuskin Windfarm Limited, GridBeyond, and Orsted Onshore UK Limited. This award signifies the finalization of contracts for essential grid services.
This notice is primarily informational for entities involved in the UK energy sector, particularly those participating in grid services procurement. While it announces contract awards rather than imposing new obligations, it provides insight into the current landscape of grid service providers and contract structures. Compliance officers should note the publication date and the specific lots awarded, which may be relevant for understanding market dynamics and potential future procurement opportunities or regulatory considerations within the UK energy market.
Source document (simplified)
Award
SONI074 DS3 System Services – Volume Capped – Gate 14
- SONI Ltd UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-027525
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05f475 (view related notices)
Published 25 March 2026, 4:39pm
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Contents
Scope Lots (9)
- Lot 1. POR L1NI - Primary Operating Reserve
- Lot 2. SOR L2NI - Secondary Operating Reserve
- Lot 3. TOR1 L3NI - Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
- Lot 4. TOR2 L4NI - Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve
- Lot 5. RRD L5NI - Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised)
- Lot 6. RRS L6NI - Replacement Reserve (Synchronised)
- Lot 9. RM1 L9NI - Ramping Margin 1 Hour
- Lot 10. RM3 L10NI - Ramping Margin 3 Hour
- Lot 12. FFR L12NI - Fast Frequency Response
Contracts (9)
- Contract 1. POR L1NI Primary Operating Reserve (3 suppliers)
- Contract 2. SOR L2NI Secondary Operating Reserve (3 suppliers)
- Contract 3. TOR1 L3NI Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve (4 suppliers)
- Contract 4. TOR2 L4NI Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve (2 suppliers)
- Contract 5. RRD L5NI Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised) (2 suppliers)
- Contract 6. RRS L6NI Replacement Reserve (Synchronised)
- Contract 7. RM1 L9NI Ramping Margin 1 Hour (2 suppliers)
- Contract 8. RM3 L10NI Ramping Margin 3 Hour
- Contract 9. FFR L12NI Fast Frequency Response (3 suppliers)
Lots that will not be awarded Procedure Suppliers (5)
- Altamuskin Windfarm Limited
- GridBeyond (formerly Endeco Technologies Ltd)
- Orsted Onshore UK Limited
- Powerhouse Generation Limited
- Wheelhouse energy (NI) Limited
Contracting authority
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Reference
SONI074
Description
Following review by the Regulatory Authorities of the TSOs’ Report on Ensuring a Secure, Reliable and Efficient Power System in July 2011 the TSOs were requested by the SEM Committee to put in place a programme of work to solve the challenges associated with increased levels of penetration of variable non-synchronous renewable generation.
In response the TSOs formally commenced the DS3 Programme in September 2011. The overall aim of the DS3 Programme is to put in place the required changes to system policies, system tools and system performance to meet the challenges of operating the electricity system in a secure manner while achieving the 2020 renewable electricity targets. A key aspect of this operational challenge is the increase of System Non- Synchronous Penetration (SNSP) from the 2011 limit of 50% to 75%.
Lot 1. POR L1NI - Primary Operating Reserve
Description
Primary Operating Reserve or 'POR' has the meaning given to it in the grid code
Lot 2. SOR L2NI - Secondary Operating Reserve
Description
Secondary Operating reserve or 'SOR' has the meaning given to it in the grid code
Lot 3. TOR1 L3NI - Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
Description
Tertiary 1 operating reserve or 'TOR1' has the meaning given to it in the grid code.
Lot 4. TOR2 L4NI - Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve
Description
Tertiary 2 operating reserve or 'TOR2' has the meaning given to it in the grid code
Lot 5. RRD L5NI - Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised)
Description
RR (De-synchronised)' means replacement reserve provided by the providing unit when:
(i) not Synchronised to the power system in the case of a synchronous providing unit, or
(ii) when connected to the power system and operating at a level less or equal to 0 MW in the case of an energy storage providing unit, or
(ii) when connected to the power system in the case of a demand side unit
Lot 6. RRS L6NI - Replacement Reserve (Synchronised)
Description
RR (Synchronised)' means Replacement Reserve provided by the Providing Unit when:
(i) synchronised to the power system in the case of a synchronous providing unit, or
(ii) when connected to the power system and operating at a level greater than 0 MW in the case of an energy storage providing unit or
power park module.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Lot 9. RM1 L9NI - Ramping Margin 1 Hour
Description
Ramping Margin 1 is the increased MW Output and/or MW Reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within one hour of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further two hours after the one hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that three hour period.
Lot 10. RM3 L10NI - Ramping Margin 3 Hour
Description
Ramping Margin 3 is the increased MW Output and/or MW reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within three hours of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further 5 hours after the 3 hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that 8 hour period
Lot 12. FFR L12NI - Fast Frequency Response
Description
Fast Frequency Response (FFR) is the additional MW Output or MW reduction required compared to the pre- incident MW output or MW reduction, which is fully available from a providing unit within 2 seconds after the start of an event and sustainable up to 10 seconds after the start of the event.
Contract 1. POR L1NI Primary Operating Reserve
Lots
Lot 1. POR L1NI - Primary Operating Reserve
Suppliers (3)
Contract value
- £641,145 excluding VAT
- £769,374 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 2. SOR L2NI Secondary Operating Reserve
Lots
Lot 2. SOR L2NI - Secondary Operating Reserve
Suppliers (3)
Contract value
- £317,307 excluding VAT
- £380,768 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 3. TOR1 L3NI Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
Lots
Lot 3. TOR1 L3NI - Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
Suppliers (4)
- Altamuskin Windfarm Limited
- GridBeyond (formerly Endeco Technologies Ltd)
- Orsted Onshore UK Limited
- Wheelhouse energy (NI) Limited
Contract value
- £162,852 excluding VAT
- £195,422 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 4. TOR2 L4NI Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve
Lots
Lot 4. TOR2 L4NI - Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve
Suppliers (2)
Contract value
- £145,338 excluding VAT
- £174,466 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 5. RRD L5NI Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised)
Lots
Lot 5. RRD L5NI - Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised)
Suppliers (2)
Contract value
- £111,156 excluding VAT
- £133,387 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 6. RRS L6NI Replacement Reserve (Synchronised)
Lots
Lot 6. RRS L6NI - Replacement Reserve (Synchronised)
Supplier
Contract value
- £0 excluding VAT
- £0 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 7. RM1 L9NI Ramping Margin 1 Hour
Lots
Lot 9. RM1 L9NI - Ramping Margin 1 Hour
Suppliers (2)
Contract value
- £17,064 excluding VAT
- £20,476 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 8. RM3 L10NI Ramping Margin 3 Hour
Lots
Lot 10. RM3 L10NI - Ramping Margin 3 Hour
Supplier
Contract value
- £6,760 excluding VAT
- £8,112 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Contract 9. FFR L12NI Fast Frequency Response
Lots
Lot 12. FFR L12NI - Fast Frequency Response
Suppliers (3)
Contract value
- £1,066,735 excluding VAT
- £1,280,082 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 7 April 2026
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
7 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 5 months, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lots that will not be awarded
Lot 7. SSRP L7NI - Steady State Reactive Power
Description
Steady-state reactive power or 'SSRP' means reactive power capability (Leading) and reactive power capability
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Date of decision not to award
9 March 2026
Lot 8. SIR L8NI - Synchronous Inertial Respons
Description
Synchronous Inertial Response (SIR) is the kinetic energy (at a Frequency of 50 Hz) of a centrally dispatched synchronous providing unit multiplied by the SIR factor (SIRF)
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Date of decision not to award
9 March 2026
Lot 11. RM8 L11NI - Ramping Margin 8 Hour
Description
Ramping Margin 8 is the increased MW Output and/or MW reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within eight hours of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further 8 hours after the 8 hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that 16 hour period.
CPV classifications
Energy and related services
Date of decision not to award
9 March 2026
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Suppliers
Altamuskin Windfarm Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMPY-5652-CDBQ Greenwood House, 64 Newforge Lane
Belfast
BT9 5NF
United Kingdom
Email: altamuskinetender@gensyspower.ie
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. POR L1NI Primary Operating Reserve
Contract 2. SOR L2NI Secondary Operating Reserve
Contract 3. TOR1 L3NI Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
Contract 9. FFR L12NI Fast Frequency Response
GridBeyond (formerly Endeco Technologies Ltd)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQJL-8223-QHRT 3015 Lake Drive Citywest
Dublin
D24 DKP4
Ireland
Email: Nathalia.Abreu@gridbeyond.com
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 3. TOR1 L3NI Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
Contract 4. TOR2 L4NI Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve
Contract 5. RRD L5NI Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised)
Contract 6. RRS L6NI Replacement Reserve (Synchronised)
Contract 7. RM1 L9NI Ramping Margin 1 Hour
Orsted Onshore UK Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGRH-5473-YJNL 42-46 Fountain Street
Belfast
BT1 5EB
United Kingdom
Email: katmc@orsted.com
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. POR L1NI Primary Operating Reserve
Contract 2. SOR L2NI Secondary Operating Reserve
Contract 3. TOR1 L3NI Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
Contract 9. FFR L12NI Fast Frequency Response
Powerhouse Generation Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTXT-2252-BWVQ Suite 105, Lisburn Enterprise Centre, 6 Enterprise Cres
Lisburn
BT28 2BP
United Kingdom
Email: eimear.nutler@coolplanet.io
Region: UKN0E - Lisburn and Castlereagh
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 4. TOR2 L4NI Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve
Contract 5. RRD L5NI Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised)
Contract 7. RM1 L9NI Ramping Margin 1 Hour
Contract 8. RM3 L10NI Ramping Margin 3 Hour
Wheelhouse energy (NI) Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYDN-4224-DDNQ Greenwood House, 64 Newforge Lane BelfastBT9 5NF
Belfast
BT9 5NF
United Kingdom
Email: rathsherryetender@gensyspower.ie
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. POR L1NI Primary Operating Reserve
Contract 2. SOR L2NI Secondary Operating Reserve
Contract 3. TOR1 L3NI Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve
Contract 9. FFR L12NI Fast Frequency Response
Contracting authority
SONI Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPVY-9479-DHPY 12 Manse Road
Belfast
BT6 9RT
United Kingdom
Email: tenders.SONI@soni.ltd.uk
Region: UKN0E - Lisburn and Castlereagh
Organisation type: Private utility
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
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