TenderSignal is the UK's most complete source of live energy tenders.
We aggregate energy procurement from 145+ portals — DESNZ, Great British Energy, the energy networks (National Grid ESO/ET, UK Power Networks, SSEN, SP Energy Networks, Cadent, Northern Gas, Wales & West, SGN), councils, NHS trusts, universities, MOD, social housing providers, and the wider net-zero supply chain. Buyers also include the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, EDF, and the offshore wind developers.
Whether you're a sole-trader solar installer chasing council retrofit work, an SME heat-pump specialist bidding for social housing decarbonisation, or a major engineering firm targeting RIIO-3 transmission upgrades, TenderSignal covers your patch. Sub-sectors include renewables, storage, heat networks, energy efficiency, EV charging, hydrogen and nuclear.
Energy frameworks often run 4–8 years aligned to regulatory price-control periods (RIIO-3, AR rounds). Pro users see PIN and forecast notices — vital for engaging with networks and councils before formal procurement opens.
What's covered
UK energy spend across regulated networks and public-sector decarbonisation exceeds £30bn annually and is rising sharply as Net Zero targets approach. Ofgem regulates network spend via RIIO-3 (price control 2026–2031); DESNZ and Great British Energy commission strategic projects. The Procurement Act 2023 governs public buying; Utilities Contracts Regulations govern regulated networks.
Key frameworks include CCS Heat Networks Investment Project, CCS EV Charging Solutions, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme delivery partners, Procurement for Housing decarbonisation frameworks, Fusion21 Heating and Renewables, and the energy networks' own enterprise frameworks. Contracts for Difference (AR rounds) drive renewable-generation pipelines.
Notable drivers include the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (£3.8bn through 2028), Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (£1.4bn+ rolling), Great British Energy's strategic projects, AR7 and beyond, heat-network zoning under the Energy Act 2023, and the hydrogen and CCUS programmes.
Energy procurement typically uses PQQ + ITT for major works, with quality weighted 50–60% — covering technical approach, delivery programme, supply chain, embedded carbon (PAS 2080), social value and net-zero credentials. For utilities work, Utilities Contracts Regulations allow Qualification Systems that speed up call-offs for accredited suppliers.
Accreditation is decisive: MCS for installer-side renewables (mandatory for SHDF and most retrofit), TrustMark for retrofit, PAS 2030/2035 for the whole retrofit pathway, NICEIC/NAPIT for electrical, Gas Safe for gas, Achilles UVDB for utilities work, ISO 14001 and PAS 2080. For nuclear, NDA Estate framework and SCAR registration.
Common pitfalls: missing PAS 2030/2035 evidence on retrofit schemes (immediate disqualification), under-evidenced installer capacity, weak whole-house assessment approach, poor embodied-carbon analysis on infrastructure works, and unrealistic decarbonisation timelines. Strong bids show installer numbers, supply-chain depth, measurable carbon reductions, and credible community-engagement plans.
TenderSignal lets you filter by council, housing association, energy network or DNO region. Retrofit and installation work is highly location-dependent; transmission and large generation tenders less so. Set your delivery footprint during onboarding.
Single-property retrofit packages £10k–£25k; multi-property SHDF schemes £500k–£10m. PSDS heat-pump and solar packages £200k–£5m. RIIO-3 transmission and distribution capital projects regularly exceed £100m. AR-round renewable contracts vary by technology and capacity.
For SHDF and PSDS, yes — most local authorities and housing associations use Procurement for Housing, Fusion21 or LHC frameworks. For DNO/transmission work, Qualification Systems under Utilities regulations are essential. Direct ITTs remain common for one-off public-sector projects.
TenderSignal ingests around 150–300 energy opportunities per week. Volume rises around SHDF Wave releases, PSDS phase openings, AR round announcements, and RIIO-3 framework refreshes.
MCS certification (mandatory for renewable installations claiming consumer grants); TrustMark; PAS 2030/2035 for retrofit; NICEIC/NAPIT for electrical; Gas Safe; Achilles UVDB for utilities; ISO 9001/14001/45001; PAS 2080 for carbon-managed infrastructure; NDA Estate for nuclear.
Yes — installer-side work in renewables, heat pumps and retrofit is dominated by SMEs. Tier 1 framework holders on SHDF and PSDS sub-contract widely to MCS-accredited installers. The Procurement Act 2023's lotting requirements strengthen SME access further.
Public works above £5,336,937 and services above £213,477 require Find a Tender publication. Utilities work has higher thresholds — £426,955 for services and £5,336,937 for works. Below threshold, frameworks and DPS dominate.
SHDF is delivered by housing associations and councils, typically via Procurement for Housing, Fusion21 and LHC frameworks. Tier 1 contractors sub-contract installations to MCS-accredited firms. TenderSignal Pro users see SHDF Wave PINs and Tier 1 sub-tenders early.