Award

W722 - Longbridge Weir Hydroelectric Plant Maintenance

DERBY CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

01 Apr 2026 at 10:34

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Derby City Council has successfully concluded the award stage of its procurement process for the maintenance of the Longbridge Weir Hydroelectric Plant. This contract, titled "W722 - Longbridge Weir Hydroelectric Plant Maintenance," falls under the industry category of repair and maintenance services of electrical distribution equipment. The procurement is located in the East Midlands, United Kingdom, with work commencing on 1st April 2026 and spanning until 31st March 2031. The procurement method was a direct award due to absence of competition for technical reasons, specifically Schedule 5, item 6(a) under the Procurement Act 2023, with Derwent Hydroelectric Power Limited selected as the supplier due to their unique expertise and local presence. The total contract value is £730,000.

This tender offers limited opportunities for business growth because it directly leverages the existing knowledge and proximity of Derwent Hydroelectric Power Limited, making it challenging for other suppliers to compete. However, it underscores the importance of specialised technical knowledge in niche markets, particularly in the renewable energy sector. Businesses operating within the small-scale hydropower installation sphere or offering complementary technical services could explore similar opportunities by positioning themselves as experts with unique capabilities. Moreover, businesses seeking to establish or expand operations within the East Midlands might gain valuable insights from observing how localisation and expertise play roles in procurement decisions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

W722 - Longbridge Weir Hydroelectric Plant Maintenance

Notice Description

The Longbridge Weir Hydropower House was constructed in 2011 to generate renewable electricity, primarily for the Council House. Derwent Hydroelectric Power Ltd was the original designer and constructor of the installation and has provided operation and maintenance services since commissioning. The plant has now been operational for approximately 14 years. As it approaches the later stages of its asset lifecycle, several major components are at increased risk of failure due to age and will require replacement within the next five years. Ongoing operation and maintenance therefore require specialist technical knowledge of the original design and construction of the installation. Accordingly, a direct award is permitted under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, item 6(a), as competition is absent for technical reasons and only a particular supplier can supply the required services. The market for contractors capable of maintaining and upgrading a small-scale hydropower installation of this nature is extremely limited. The plant requires a cost-effective 24-hour emergency response capability, which most specialist providers are unable to deliver. Derwent Hydroelectric Power Ltd is locally based, enabling this requirement to be met. As the original constructor, the supplier also has detailed and unique knowledge of the plant, presenting a significant technical barrier to alternative providers. The small scale of the installation further reduces commercial viability for other contractors. These market conditions are not expected to change.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-4475676d-31ec-4ab0-8071-76cd7352b99c
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ecfc967b-4c9d-487c-b95c-2ef53bbce0a2
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Other - Direct Award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50532400 - Repair and maintenance services of electrical distribution equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£730,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£730,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Apr 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
29 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DERBY CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DERBY
Postcode
DE1 2FS
Post Town
Derby
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF11 Derby
Delivery Location
TLF East Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Derby
Electoral Ward
Darley
Westminster Constituency
Derby South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

DERWENT HYDROELECTRIC POWER

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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