Scope
Reference
T2723
Description
Belfast City Council is progressing Northern Ireland's first city-centre low-carbon, district heat network. The climate team was set up five years ago, to build partnerships across the city to deliver climate initiatives beyond the Council estate. Early development of the heat network has been underway for 18 months, supported by Innovate UK funding and the climate team's internal budget. The Council is now seeking engagement with heat network developers, developer-led teams, or consortia with strong experience of development, delivery, operation and investment.
The Council is conducting this pre-market engagement exercise to engage with potential lead developers to provide such organisations with some preliminary information about the procurement opportunity. It is anticipated that there will be subsequent, more detailed pre-market engagement exercises prior to the formal launch of any competitive process.
The Council would also like to use this opportunity to test market capability, appetite for innovation and refine the future procurement and delivery strategy for this important project. A key theme for the project is drawing on innovative approaches to lowering the heat tariff for users.
To support this PME exercise we have developed a more detailed PME project prospectus document setting out more detail about the project and further engagement plans with interested lead developers.
To request a copy of this prospectus please email cps@belfastcity.gov.uk before the 'Engagement Deadline' i.e. 13th February 2026.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2027 to 30 September 2067
- 40 years
Main procurement category
Services
Additional procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 65000000 - Public utilities
- 09323000 - District heating
- 45000000 - Construction work
Contract locations
- UKN06 - Belfast
Engagement
Engagement deadline
13 February 2026
Engagement process description
To support this PME exercise we have developed a more detailed PME project prospectus document setting out more detail about the project and further engagement plans with interested lead developers.
To request a copy of this prospectus please email cps@belfastcity.gov.uk before the 'Engagement Deadline' i.e. 13th February 2026.
Upon receipt of the prospectus document developers will be asked to re-confirm their interest in continuing to participate in the PME exercise and attending further meetings and workshops (details set out in the prospectus document).
Given time constraints, the Council may not be able to offer meetings to all interested lead developers. As such, the Council will likely only offer meetings to potential lead developers who the Council believes can support it in formulating its final procurement strategy.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 January 2027
Procedure
Special regime
Concession
Contracting authority
Belfast City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQXY-5321-CGZM
9-21 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8DJ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Lewis Murray
Email: cps@belfastcity.gov.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland