Alliander N.V. intends to award a framework agreement to Siemens Energy B.V. through the negotiated procedure without prior publication pursuant to Article 3.36(1)(c)(2) of the Dutch Public Procurement Act 2012 for the supply of 72.5 kV Blue GIS installations. Market research conducted by Alliander has demonstrated that Siemens Energy B.V. is the only supplier capable of providing installations that meet Alliander’s requirements and specifications. Alliander intends to realize five (5) new substations. To that end, it intends to procure five (5) GIS switchgear installations. Alliander has identified a number of sites on which it intends to construct the new substations. These substations are scheduled to be commissioned after 1 January 2028. The selection of these sites took place prior to the entry into force of the F-gas Regulation and was based on the dimensions of SF₆-containing switchgear installations. Expansion of the sites is not possible. Consequently, Alliander can only procure switchgear installations that fit within the available site dimensions. The maximum dimensions (W × D × H) per bay are: • Busbar bay: 800 × 4250 × 2870 mm • Transformer bay (50 kV transformer): 800 × 4470 × 2600 mm • Transformer bay (150/110 kV transformer): 800 × 5275 × 2870 mm • Cable bay: 800 × 4470 × 2600 mm • Busbar coupling bay: 800 × 3650 × 2600 mm Furthermore, Alliander requires a nominal busbar current of 3150 A and a short-circuit withstand rating of 40 kArms / 3 s. Under the European F-gas Regulation, Alliander is, in principle, no longer permitted to commission SF₆-containing installations with voltage levels from 52 kV up to and including 145 kV after 1 January 2028. Accordingly, Alliander has formulated the following requirement for the insulation and interruption medium used in the switchgear installation: "Gas mixtures with GWP ≤1 and vacuum (SF₆ gas and PFAS are not permitted)." The exclusion of PFAS-containing gases (in particular C4FN) is justified by the following reasons, each of which individually and collectively supports this choice: 1. Minimalisatieplicht ZZS ten aanzien van het vrijkomen van Zeer Zorgwekkende Stoffen (ZZS). This includes PFAS, which are classified as substances of very high concern under Dutch environmental legislation. 2. Duty of care towards personnel. Alliander has a duty of care throughout the entire service life of its switchgear installations. PFAS-containing gases are known to pose irreversible health risks. Moreover, switchgear installations are not entirely leak-tight. Alliander does not wish to expose its personnel to these risks. 3. Environmental protection. PFAS-containing gases are known to pose irreversible risks to the environment. Alliander aims to avoid unnecessary environmental harm. 4. Standardization and uniformity. Alliander currently operates no PFAS-containing installations. Consequently, its personnel would need to be specifically trained and certified throughout the entire service life of such installations. A potential future prohibition could require the parallel operation of multiple technological systems, resulting in inefficiencies in personnel training and deployment. Alliander seeks to maintain maximum uniformity across its installations and to make future-proof technology choices. 5. Uncertainty regarding long-term availability. The installations have an expected service life of at least 40 years and, in practice, may remain in operation for up to 60 years. In the event of leakage, gas replenishment may be required. The long-term availability of PFAS-containing gases is uncertain, which could significantly shorten the operational lifespan of the installations. 6. Insufficient research on C4FN. C4FN is a relatively recently developed gas for which insufficient research has been conducted. Independent and industry-sponsored studies have not yet yielded consistent conclusions. Alliander does not wish to adopt technology whose risks have not yet been adequately assessed. Insulation media with a GWP ≤1 combined with vacuum interruption technology (excluding SF₆ and PFAS) provide assurance that the aforementioned environmental and health risks are avoided. Furthermore, no future ban on this technology is currently anticipated, providing confidence that installations based on this technology can be maintained throughout their entire service life. In the long term, standardization of switchgear technologies across the electricity network is an important objective. Given the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, this technology represents the most future-proof solution. No Reasonable Alternative or Substitute Alliander conducted a market analysis which concluded that no supplier other than Siemens is capable of meeting all of the above requirements. The VT Blue GIS is the only installation that satisfies all requirements while also fitting within the space available at the identified substation sites. Alternative installations that satisfy the other technical requirements would require at least 25% more space. Acquiring additional land or expanding the available sites is not possible. Objections If you object to the intended award of the contract to Siemens, or if you believe that the above-mentioned award wrongly relies on an exception to the procurement rules, you may make your objections known by initiating summary proceedings (kort geding) within twenty (20) calendar days of the date of publication of this notice. If no such proceedings are initiated within this period, the agreement described above may be concluded and such objections can no longer result in the annulment or invalidation of the agreement.