The UK National Grid has shortlisted Infosys, Mahindra Satyam and Cognizant for an outsourcing contract expected to total some $250 million (£172 million), according to reports in today's Economic Times.

National Grid already has a seven-year, $470 million contract with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), which is due to expire this year. The work involves developing software applications and maintaining IT infrastructure for the utility firm, which manages the UK's electricity and natural gas network.

When contacted by the Economic Times on Thursday, a National Grid spokesman confirmed that his organisation is reviewing its IT operations, but declined to elaborate any further.