Scope
Reference
CW_OEP26
Description
ECW, on behalf of and in coordination with Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, and Warrington Borough Councils, is seeking to appoint consultancy support to produce a Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan; providing the evidence base to support local growth ambitions and investment pipeline development, support future spatial development work in Cheshire and Warrington, and support engagement in the NESO Regional Energy Strategic Planning (RESP) process. This commission will provide a strong local evidence base for current and future demand, and build the case for investment in energy infrastructure to support both local growth ambitions and commitments in our Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Strategy to support the local energy transition and government ambitions for Clean Power by 2030.
Clean Energy is one vital component of Cheshire and Warrington growth ambitions, with unique existing (e.g. VisNet, Gas Storage Facilities) and upcoming (e.g. HyNet, HALEU) infrastructure providing substantial opportunities for us to pioneer approaches to clean power and industrial decarbonisation. This infrastructure will support wider growth opportunities, ensuring that Cheshire and Warrington is an attractive location for housing growth, business development, and reindustrialisation. To better grasp this opportunity, it is vital we:
1. Better understand our baseline energy demand.
2. Have access to light-touch scenario planning to anticipate the likely changes to generation and demand over the next 5-10 years.
3. Can clearly and consistently produce early evidence for RESP, DSO, and NGET to secure strategic reinforcement to grid.
4. Understand the integration of different energy transition vectors across the C&W landscape.
5. Can drive investment to strategically vital energy projects in Cheshire and Warrington that support wider economic development.
This commission will provide the foundation for attracting inward investment in Cheshire and Warrington. In the first instance it will ensure a clear understanding of the current and future energy infrastructure requirements, supporting the business case for major developments currently stalled by grid constraints (e.g. Mersey Ring), and position the region competitively for national funding streams in 2027-28 which will be available via DSO ED3, potential T3 re-openers, and the NESO RESP process.
This ITT sets out the information which is required in order to assess the suitability of bidders in terms of their technical approach and solutions, stakeholder engagement and relationships management, quality assurange and project management approach, and value for money to meet the requirements of ECW for the development of a Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan.
Total value (estimated)
- £75,000 excluding VAT
- £90,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 23 March 2026 to 23 September 2026
- 6 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73110000 - Research services
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
3 March 2026, 9:00am
Tender submission deadline
11 March 2026, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
The Contract will be awarded on the basis of the following weighted award criteria:
Submissions which do not, in the opinion of ECW, adequately meet the Performance Specification will not be marked for the Technical Merit and Price Criteria outlined below and will not be taken forward to any subsequent stages of the Tender evaluation.
PASS/FAIL
Value for money 25%
Technical Merit (Quality) 75%
TOTAL 100%
The Technical Merit criteria is made up of the following sub-criteria:
Technical approach and solutions 30%
Stakeholder engagement and relationship management 30%
Quality assurance and project management approach 15%
Value for money 25%
Technical scores from the Tender stage will then be added together to give a total technical score out of 75% which will then be added to the Value for Money score (out of 25%) to give an overall score of 100%.
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Contracting authority
ENTERPRISE CHESHIRE AND WARRINGTON
- Companies House: 04453576
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTVR-4158-ZHYR
Wyvern House Floor 1, Wyvern House
Winsford
CW7 1AH
United Kingdom
Region: UKD63 - Cheshire West and Chester
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)