Severn Trent Water is preparing to begin market engagement for a new generation of capital design and delivery frameworks supporting up to £25bn of investment across the Midlands. The frameworks are expected to operate for between 8 and 15 years, covering future regulatory investment programmes across AMP9, AMP10 and AMP11.
They will become Severn Trent’s principal commercial and delivery vehicle for capital projects, providing a long-term platform through which contractors, designers and other supply-chain partners can support future water and wastewater infrastructure investment. The £25bn figure forms part of Severn Trent’s previously announced long-term investment programme and does not represent additional investment.
Procurement expected to begin in 2027
Formal procurement is expected to commence in early 2027. Severn Trent said the frameworks would be structured to attract a broad range of delivery partners, from major international contractors to regional businesses and local SMEs. The procurement will run alongside a separate Design Services tender, which Severn Trent described as an integrated part of its future delivery model.
The intention is to establish a joined-up approach covering design, construction and supply-chain collaboration from the early development of projects through to delivery. The frameworks will support the transition from AMP8 into AMP9 while maintaining continuity across Severn Trent’s existing capital programme. The majority of AMP8 investment is expected to continue through incumbent delivery partners, helping preserve capacity and maintain programme momentum while the new framework arrangements are established.
Market engagement event planned
Potential suppliers will be invited to a dedicated market engagement event where Severn Trent will provide further information about its future pipeline, procurement plans and evolving commercial model. UK2 preliminary market engagement notices are expected to be issued shortly, setting out details of the event and explaining how interested organisations can participate.
The company wants prospective partners to help shape the new delivery model, including arrangements for earlier supplier involvement, innovation, advanced procurement and long-term investment in skills and capacity. The programme forms part of England’s Big Upgrade, the water sector’s major programme of investment in water and wastewater infrastructure. Severn Trent said the investment would help improve network resilience, respond to growing demand, protect the environment and deliver improved outcomes for customers and communities across the Midlands.
Paul Baxter, Capital Delivery Director at Severn Trent, said:
This is a major opportunity for the market to partner with Severn Trent on one of the UK's most ambitious water infrastructure programmes. We've achieved strong results with our existing partners, and we're now looking to build on that success through a more integrated and collaborative delivery model that creates better outcomes for customers and communities. Through this framework, we are creating a long-term platform that will support delivery across AMP9, AMP10 and AMP11, while providing the flexibility, resilience and innovation needed to meet future challenges.
Daniel Foster, Head of Capital Commercial at Severn Trent, added:
Our ambition is to create a high-performing supplier ecosystem that combines the strengths of established partners with the innovation and capability of new market entrants. The framework will support the AMP8 to AMP9 transition, provide certainty for the supply chain and create opportunities for suppliers to invest in people, skills and innovation over the long term. We want this to be more than a procurement exercise. We want to create a platform for collaboration, regional growth and lasting value that delivers benefits for customers, communities and the wider Midlands economy.
Long-term opportunities for the supply chain
Performance, capability and available capacity will be central to the allocation of work through the future framework model. Severn Trent said the arrangements would be designed to create greater certainty for suppliers while supporting regional skills development and strengthening supply-chain resilience.
The duration and potential value of the frameworks could provide contractors, consultants and specialist suppliers with the visibility required to invest in recruitment, training, equipment and new delivery technologies. Further details will become available when Severn Trent publishes the forthcoming UK2 notices and confirms arrangements for its market engagement day.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
