Scope
Description
Since June 2023 Cambridge City Council has been working with consultants and academic partners to develop an Outline Business Case for a City Centre District Heating Network. Detailed Project Development has now completed, proposing a low carbon network using air source and river source heat pumps, and supported by a transition to electric boilers from gas boilers to supplement peak heat demand.
This work has been brought forward through a partnership between the City Council, the County Council, and 19 Academic institutions with significant heating demand in the city centre. Connections to many of these partner heat loads now forms the basis of the Minimum Viable Product identified for delivery through a Partner-invested Joint Venture Partnership, and with strategic ambition to expand such a network across the City in the long term, informed by an informal Heat Zoning review which has also been completed.
A Cambridge City Centre Heat Network represents a timely and valuable opportunity for Cambridge's academic institutions and public-sector organisations, who all share ambitious decarbonisation goals, and we are now seeking expressions of interest from potential partners who wish to be appointed to the established partnership to provide Design, Build, Operation and maintenance Services, inclusive of metering and billing. We feel that establishment of a new district heating network in a city of Global significance is a momentous opportunity, and we wish to procure a DBOM partner who shares our vision and understanding of the opportunities which this may bring.
We request that all interested parties put forward contact details for appropriate representatives who wish to be involved with early market testing on the Contracting opportunity, with meeting dates to be confirmed between 23rd February and 6th March 2026. Please contact procurement@cambridge.gov.uk
The Council will be represented by Amberside Advisors, who together with Buro Happold and Sustainability Co have provided specialist consultancy services for the DPD Study. Formal procurement is anticipated for Q3 2026, and remains subject to both Council Cabinet approval, and successful receipt of Funding from the Green Heat Network Fund, for which bidding is targeted in March/April 2026.
Procurement is anticipated to seek Commercial stage services, moving into a main contract and formal start of works by end-2027. A Phased 5-10yr constriction period is anticipated, with first heat on for phase 1 connections targeted for 2030.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 January 2027 to 30 January 2042
- 15 years
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45211360 - Urban development construction work
- 45232140 - District-heating mains construction work
- 45232141 - Heating works
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Engagement
Engagement deadline
6 March 2026
Engagement process description
We request that all interested parties put forward contact details for appropriate representatives who wish to be involved with early market testing on the Contracting opportunity, with meeting dates to be confirmed between 23rd February and 6th March 2026.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
31 October 2026
Contracting authority
Cambridge City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCBT-6819-NDPJ
The Guildhall
Cambridge
CB2 1BY
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@cambridge.gov.uk
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisations
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
AMBERSIDE ADVISORS LTD
Summary of their role in this procurement: Specialist Consultancy Services
- Companies House: 06078852
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHCN-1919-CCQG
Clubfinance House
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 5HA
United Kingdom
Email: james.derbyshire@amberside.uk
Website: http://amberside.uk
Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire
SHARPE PRITCHARD LLP
Summary of their role in this procurement: Legal support
- Companies House: OC378650
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRCR-4411-VZCV
Elm Yard, 10-16 Elm Street
London
WC1X 0BJ
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@sharpepritchard.co.uk
Website: http://www.sharpepritchard.co.uk
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
BURO HAPPOLD LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Specialist Consultancy support
- Companies House: 02049511
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMYR-5199-WHTD
Pinesgate, Lower Bristol Road
Bath
BA2 3DP
United Kingdom
Email: projectleads@burohappold.com
Website: https://www.burohappold.com
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire