Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
CPSSprocurement@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1467530600
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM6 - Highlands and Islands
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Applications or, where applicable, tenders must be submitted electronically via
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – Torvean Quarry, Inverness
Reference number
HC/CPL/BES/2025
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 65400000 - Other sources of energy supplies and distribution
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Highland Council has identified a site for the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The Highland Council has accepted a grid connection offer and intends to tender for a developer to design, build and operate the facility.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This concession is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 09300000 - Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy
- 65400000 - Other sources of energy supplies and distribution
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
Inverness, Highlands
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Highland Council has identified the former Torvean Quarry (Inverness) for development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which would support distribution network operations via connection to an existing (collocated) overhead 33kV line.
The Highland Council has accepted a grid connection offer provided by the Distribution Network Operator (Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution PLC), for a 9,900 kVA import / 9,900 kW export connection, with an estimated connection date of 31 October 2027 (note that this date is subject to change).
The Highland Council intends to tender (via open competition) for a developer to design, build and operate a BESS at the former Torvean Quarry. It is envisaged that the Highland Council would assign the accepted grid connection offer to the contracted party, and that the contracted party would undertake all required contestable distribution network works, in addition to the BESS build. The Highland Council would receive a standing lease payment for occupation of the site, plus an agreed revenue share, throughout the term of the lease (20 years). An Option to Lease fee would also be payable, from contract award, until the lease period begins.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Concession is awarded on the basis of the criteria stated in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the concession
Duration in months
240
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for submission of applications or receipt of tenders
Date
11 September 2025
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=801350.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
See procurement documents
(SC Ref:801350)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=801350
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Inverness Sherriff Court
Inverness
Country
United Kingdom