Scope
Reference
HAR6134
Description
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets' current focus is exploring options for decarbonisation and expansion of the Barkantine Estate, to determine how the Heat Network can best deliver Tower Hamlets' existing and future customer energy needs, following an existing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) due to expire in October 2027.
This market engagement process is in advance of a future tender procedure to decarbonise, operate, and expand the existing Barkantine Heat Network. This will include financing, design, construction, provision of heat supply, customer relations, metering and billing, and operations and maintenance of the network. The existing district heat network has been in operation under a PFI agreement since August 2000, and serves a number of customers on the Isle of Dogs.
The Council are looking for a partner to support with evaluating options to decarbonise and expand the network, when the current management arrangements come to an end in October 2027. This includes options for utilising the existing energy centre or relocating to a new location.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 November 2027 to 31 October 2037
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 09000000 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy
- 45251250 - District-heating plant construction work
- 50720000 - Repair and maintenance services of central heating
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
- 71321200 - Heating-system design services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
8 July 2025
Engagement process description
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) is undertaking a pre-market engagement exercise in preparation for a forthcoming procurement for the decarbonisation and expansion of the Barkantine Estate. The purpose of this market engagement to explore options to determine how the Heat Network can best deliver the Council's existing and future customer energy needs, following an existing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) due to expire in October 2027.
We invite suppliers with relevant expertise and interest to participate in this early engagement process. The purpose is to understand market capacity, capability, and interest, and to help shape the forthcoming procurement strategy.
This pre market engagement is a two-stage process:
Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI):
Interested parties should to register on the London Tenders Portal and express their interest on the project board (DN779718) by no later than 17:00pm on 8 July 2025.
Stage 2 - Issue of Information Pack & Questionnaire:
Suppliers who express interest by the 8 July 2025 will be issued the following documents via the portal:
- A Background Information pack
- A Pre-Market Engagement Questionnaire
- A Non-Disclosure agreement (NDA)
These documents must be completed and returned by the deadline as indicated in the pack. Following this, site visits will be arranged with participating suppliers who have returned the required documents by the specified deadline (post NDA sign off).
The site visit will comprise of a presentation on the LBTH opportunity followed by a tour of the potential energy centre sites, including the existing site. The site visits are expected to take place on 21st July 2025. All relevant information will be made available via the London Tenders Portal.
Please note, this notice is not a call for competition or a commitment to procure. Participation in this market engagement will not prejudice future involvement in any subsequent procurement process and does not commit LBTH to running a competitive tender process in the future.
Contracting authority
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQBL-2673-MVYG
New Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road London
London
E1 1BJ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Grace Oluyemi
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government