National Grid has awarded contracts worth up to £1.2 billion over the next ten years to support both planned and reactive work on its four gas distribution networks.

The contracts with two partner companies will include the replacement and maintenance of existing assets to ensure the continued efficient, safe and reliable operation of the networks.

National Grid Executive Director, Mark Fairbairn, said: “National Grid is committed to providing the most efficient and effective service to all of its customers, and these new partnerships in Gas Distribution will ensure we continue to work to those high standards.”

Following the announcement of National Grid’s preferred partners last year, work groups were set up to finalise procurement and work programming processes, develop designs and clarify targets for 2009/10.

National Grid Operations Director, Jon Butterworth said: “National Grid has adopted this collaborative way of working for Gas Operations following the success of the Gas Construction Alliances introduced in 2005.”

The Gas Operations contracts will be split geographically. The East consisting of the East Midlands, East Anglia and North London gas distribution networks, and the West covering West Midlands and North West networks. The successful partners are:
East - Morrison Utility Services
West - Enterprise Managed Services Limited

The contracts were signed on 1 April.

-Ends-

For further media information only, please contact Graham McQuarrie, National Grid Media Relations, on 01926 655273

National Grid
National Grid is an international electricity and gas company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We play a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to millions of people across Great Britain and northeastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. We believe the power of action can play a major role in safeguarding our global environment for future generations and tackling the effects of climate change, providing all our customers with the highest standards of service through network investment and through our talented, diverse workforce.

National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses.

National Grid also operates the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.
*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

www.nationalgrid.com

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Gas Operations partner press contacts:

East - Lucie Cox on 01438 847277
Morrison Utility Services is a leading service provider within the electricity, gas, telecommunications and water sectors.  Our service offerings are centred on the provision, replacement, repair and maintenance of utility infrastructure, which our clients own and utilise to deliver water, power, energy and communications to their customers.  We are committed to working closely with our clients to deliver cost effective solutions, which do not compromise safety, quality and service delivery.

West - Debbie Lister on 01772 819262
Enterprise is based in the North West of England and operates on a national basis. It is a support services company that provides infrastructure maintenance activities for the public sector, the utilities industry and other large organisations.

The company has an annualised revenue of around £1.1bn. It has been serving the UK public sector for over 20 years and the utility markets for over 40 years.

Enterprise is driven by five principles that are integral to its business strategy; Health and safety is the top priority followed by performance improvement and best value, information technology, partnership and people and corporate responsibility.

Its main customers include, BT, MoD, Severn Trent, Thames Water, Liverpool City Council, Staffordshire County Council, Highways Agency, TfL and several London boroughs. It is privately owned by 3i and the management and is backed by major UK and international banks.