Scope
Reference
26155
Description
Plymouth City Council will shortly be seeking a Development Partner to develop and deliver a heat network in Plymouth. The Development Partner will have capital and technical capabilities to support the city's heat network strategy. The Development Partner will be required to develop, invest in, deliver, own, operate, maintain and expand a heat network, using a Golden Share Delivery Model. During the first development stage, the Development Partner will be responsible for design and commercialisation of the proposed heat network. It is envisaged that this will be followed by a delivery stage where the Development Partner would deliver the low carbon heating and cooling network to the City Centre and Millbay areas.
The proposed heat network will utilise a significant waste heat source (South West Water Central Plant) and supplies the following clusters of buildings: University of Plymouth, Arts University Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall Police, Plymouth City Council buildings, National Marine Aquarium, Theatre Royal and Plymouth Community Homes flats.
In addition, two preliminary heat network zones have been identified by Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, which offer significant future opportunities for expansion, beyond the initial phase, subject to zone regulations.
The Council would like to draw the attention of interested suppliers to the fact that all activities delivered after the development stage shall be under an Evergreen form of contract. Therefore the contract period dates and associated contract values below have been included for estimated and system purposes only based on the Council's best current estimate.
Plymouth City Council are applying for the government Green Heat Network Fund to contribute towards the new heat network costs, including commercialisation and construction costs. The remaining development and delivery funding will be provided by the appointed Heat Network Development Partner.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,500,000,000 excluding VAT
- £4,200,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2086
- Possible extension to 31 January 2096
- 70 years
Main procurement category
Works
Additional procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 45232140 - District-heating mains construction work
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UKK41 - Plymouth
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 April 2025
Engagement process description
The preliminary market engagement related to this project will take the form of a Bidders Day which will be held on 10th April 2025 in Commonwealth Suite, Crowne Plaza, Armada Way PLYMOUTH PL1 2HJ https://maps.app.goo.gl/uE5csanftaMC1zUi6
Main session:
Suppliers interest in bidding for this opportunity should complete an online registration form following the link: https://forms.office.com/e/ksM9Aqzdt2 .
Places are limited.
Due to venue capacity, we are forced to restrict the number of representatives to 3 per organisation. Booking of places will be on first come first serve basis.
Networking session:
There will also be an opportunity for local suppliers to attend a networking lunch (from 12.30pm) to find out how they might become involved in the project. Suppliers wishing to join the networking session should register using the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/fmJ66qHeDs. Places are limited.
Any queries regarding the Bidders Day should be emailed to the team on: heatnetwork@plymouth.gov.uk
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
12 May 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Concession
Contracting authority
Plymouth City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBQP-8499-TLMP
Ballard House, West Hoe Road
Plymouth
PL1 3BJ
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@plymouth.gov.uk
Website: https://plymouth.gov.uk
Region: UKK41 - Plymouth
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government