Award

Wrigley Head Solar Farm EPC and O&M Contractor

OLDHAM COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

20 Oct 2025 at 08:23

Tender

18 Mar 2024 at 16:14

Planning

30 Nov 2023 at 13:52

Planning

30 Nov 2023 at 13:23

Summary of the contracting process

Oldham Council is overseeing the Wrigley Head Solar Farm project, focusing on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and ongoing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) at Wrigley Head, Failsworth in the North West of England. The process was initiated with a planning stage that culminated in a tender published on 18th March 2024, concluding on 23rd April 2024. The award stage concluded on 7th October 2025, with the contract amounting to £1.6 million running from 9th October 2025 to 17th August 2028. The project falls under the CPV category "Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy" and requires expertise under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015) as both Principal Contractor and Designer. This open procedure adheres to an 'open' procurement method, detailed as being below threshold, making it accessible to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

This solar farm project provides substantial business growth prospects, especially for enterprises specializing in renewable energy construction and maintenance, with its significant budget of £1.6 million allocated for the EPC and O&M phases. The initiative is particularly advantageous for companies capable of integrating new technology advancements into older designs, ensuring enhanced performance of the solar installation. The absence of third-party funding offers a stable financial environment spearheaded by the Council, with contracting opportunities well-suited to large enterprises such as Vital Energi Utilities Limited, who are experienced in handling complex energy projects. The emphasis on continual O&M highlights ongoing growth potential for firms adept in long-term energy solutions and construction work within the burgeoning renewable sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Wrigley Head Solar Farm EPC and O&M Contractor

Notice Description

The contractor will review the outline design for a 888kW ground-mounted solar PV array at the Wrigley Head site, improve upon it taking into account developments in new technology and any other factors, agree the new design with the Council, Planning Authority and any other key stakeholders such as Transport for Greater Manchester, and then construct, operate and maintain the installation. The Council has awarded a combined EPC Contract (Engineer Procure Construct) with Operations and Maintenance to a single contractor. The contract is based on the JCT Design & Build 2016 form. The Council's requirement to procure a contractor to fulfil the role and responsibility of Principal Contractor and Principal Designer under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and meet all aspects of the Specification in order to control the construction phase and support relevant warranties and ongoing performance commitments did not lend itself to lotting without presenting the Council with unmanageable levels of risk and compromising the attainment of value for money. The net budget for the procurement is PS1.6m. This project is being funded by the Council itself (no third party funding). The project reference is DN701652. Additional information: This procurement was published and managed through the Council's e-tendering system: The Chest. https://www.the-chest.org.uk/

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-bf19a612-6b3f-4898-a6d5-00b76f37432b
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/223984df-2214-4917-a097-5aa23c1e9b80
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

45 - Construction work


CPV Codes

09300000 - Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy

45000000 - Construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
23 Apr 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
15 Dec 2023Expired
Award Date
6 Oct 20252 months ago
Contract Period
8 Oct 2025 - 17 Aug 2028 2-3 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
OLDHAM COUNCIL
Contact Name
Emma Tweedie
Contact Email
emma.tweedie@oldham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
OLDHAM
Postcode
OL1 1UT
Post Town
Oldham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD37 Greater Manchester North East
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)

Local Authority
Oldham
Electoral Ward
Coldhurst
Westminster Constituency
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VITAL ENERGI UTILITIES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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