National Grid Chooses NEC4 for New £1 Billion Project 13 Power Tunnel

Case Study

Powering London's Future: How FastDraft is Driving Success for National Grid’s £1bn London Power Tunnels Project

The £1 billion London Power Tunnels 2 (LPT2) project by National Grid is a forward-looking initiative to strengthen London’s power infrastructure, ensuring a reliable energy supply for the coming decades. Spanning 32.5km of underground tunnels, LPT2 will connect critical substations across the city to create a durable power network backbone. Commencing in 2020 and projected to finish in 2028, the project is managed through the NEC4 contract suite to foster collaboration, risk transparency, and operational efficiency.

Client
National Grid
Location
London, UK
Value
Duration
2020 - 2028
£1 bn
Contract Used
NEC4 ECC
Solution
FastDraft

The Challenge

The LPT2 project addresses an urgent need to modernise London's energy infrastructure without disrupting daily life in one of the world’s most densely populated urban centres. National Grid was faced with several challenges:

  • Data-Driven Insights: They needed a smart system that leveraged both individual contract data and overall project performance metrics to deliver actionable insights, and empower the team to make strategic improvements at every level of the project.
  • Stakeholder Coordination: They wanted a way to ensure consistent communication and collaboration among multiple contractors working on separate project sections to maintain project alignment.
  • Contract Compliance: Ensuring precise contract execution by upholding compliance standards across all agreements, minimising potential disruptions and maintaining a smooth, consistent workflow in this high-stake project.

Given National Grid’s role as a global leader in energy services, meeting the challenges of this project demanded a CMS capable of managing a major contract with clarity, compliance, and robust collaboration.

The BI Toolkit Solution

To meet these needs, National Grid selected FastDraft, a complete, purpose-built contract management software designed to simplify complex contract management and drive transparent performance tracking. Key elements include:

  • Real-Time Reporting and Analytics: FastDraft consolidates contract data and real-time project performance metrics into an intuitive dashboard, giving National Grid and its stakeholders actionable insights. This has enabled them to make strategic decision- and continuously improve as they have a clear view of both individual contract performance and overall project health.
  • Collaboration and Communication: FastDraft centralises communication for multiple contractors working on distinct sections of the project, ensuring consistency and transparency across teams. By maintaining a single source of truth for contract updates and communications, FastDraft supports collaboration and alignment throughout the project’s lifecycle.
  • Streamlined Risk Management: FastDraft’s automated contract compliance ensures all agreements align with NEC4 standards, helping to mitigate risk and avoid disruptions. Out-of-the-box workflows and templates, built-in checks and alerts guide teams on regulatory compliance, promoting contract accuracy and supporting an efficient, compliant project workflow.

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Outcomes

Although LPT2 is ongoing, the adoption of FastDraft has already enabled National Grid to achieve several operational milestones:

  • On-Time Milestones: Sections of the tunnel were completed on schedule, setting the pace for project continuity toward the planned 2028 completion date.
  • Enhanced Efficiency and Reduced Errors: FastDraft’s centralised data management and user-friendly interface led to a reduction in administrative inefficiencies and minimised data errors.
  • Seamless Transition: The smooth system transition and extensive template transfer ensured that National Grid’s teams could continue project operations without interruptions.