2026 Tender Timeline
Which services are we procuring?
We procure ancillary services on a fixed two-yearly schedule, alternating the services we procure in our annual tender process, as follows:
Even years (2026, 2028 etc.)
- Multiple frequency keeping* (MFK)
- Single frequency keeping (SFK)
- Instantaneous reserve* (IR)
- Black start (BS) for the North Island
Odd years (2027, 2029 etc.)
- Over-frequency reserve (OFR)
- Black start (BS) for the South Island
* Note: Those looking to offer MFK or IR may seek to enter an ancillary service contract outside of the fixed tender schedule, once their integration into the power system is complete and they have demonstrated the capability to provide the service to the satisfaction of the System Operator.
Invitation to Tender 2026
We aim to invite participants to the 2026 tender in September, at which time we will publish relevant tender information and communicate it to the industry. Until then, you can review the currently available Essential Documents, including the previous year's contract schedules.
If you have any questions about the tender, you can also reach out to the team specifically via [email protected].
When the tender opens, you can submit a response using this form.
Tender Preparation
To help ensure a smooth tender submission, we encourage prospective providers to prepare the following information and materials ahead of the opening of the tender period:
- Details of the authorised signatory with internal approval to submit and bind your organisation
- Technical and operational information (as stated in individual contract appendices)
- Any proposed deviations from the standard contractual terms for the ancillary service you intend to apply for
- Internal legal, commercial, and operational alignment (your legal team might like to review the contract templates, for example)
- Internal resourcing locked in for the tender period.
Having this information ready will help ensure your tender is complete and compliant.
Current Contracted Providers
The currently contracted providers of ancillary services can be found here.
Past Tenders
- 2025
The 2025 tender opened on 9 October and closed on 5 November. Below is the recording of the tender briefing held on 21 October.
We have published the questions received during the tender process, as well as our responses, here.