Planning

Renewable Energy Centre (REC)

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

04 Aug 2025 at 08:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Warwick is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process to establish a Renewable Energy Centre (REC) and associated network on their Coventry campus. This initiative belongs to the 'works' procurement category, specifically targeting engineering and construction for power and heating plants. The University has invited potential suppliers to express interest via the Intend portal by 22nd August 2025, as part of the initial engagement. The procurement process aims to evaluate innovative solutions for the design, build, and maintenance of the energy centre, which will provide a low-carbon heating and cooling solution. The contract period for the first phase of this ambitious endeavour is scheduled to commence on 12th December 2025 and conclude by 1st September 2027.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in energy solutions, sustainable construction, and engineering works. Companies experienced in innovative heating and cooling technologies would be particularly well-suited to compete, given the scope for involvement in both design and operational aspects of the energy centre. The project seeks businesses with capabilities to deliver comprehensive, performance-based maintenance packages or manage the whole operation, continuous improvement, and potential expansion of the system. There is potential for medium to long-term collaboration, providing ample scope for achieving business growth through partnership with a prestigious institution like the University of Warwick.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Renewable Energy Centre (REC)

Notice Description

The scope of the REC Phase 1 is set out within the RIBA Stage 3 Design Report that has been made available through the In-Tend portal. The Renewable Energy Centre (REC) and associated distribution networks have been developed to provide an efficient, low carbon, flexible and adaptable heating and cooling solution for planned new buildings at the University. This project is viewed as key step in delivering a new, low-carbon network at the University of Warwick, and anticipated to eventually lead to the convergence of the Universities existing fossil fuel based network with lower carbon systems The new energy centre and network must: Be innovative, efficient and cost effective in construction and operation. Be appropriate to the heating and cooling demands of the connected loads. Recover energy at every opportunity. Minimise the electrical network reinforcement works and costs needed to support the new energy system. In Phase 1 the proposed design has the capacity to generate c.4 megawatts of simultaneous heating and cooling output to two buildings - STEM Phase 1 and Social Science Connect via an underground pipe network. The design includes potential to increase output capacity through a (future) Phase 2 compound as dictated by future demands. We are inviting expressions of interest and engagement from potential bidders to inform options on the delivery and ongoing operation for the energy centre and associated network. Although the University has extensive experience of operating large scale centralised energy centres, (energy centres based on gas boiler and combined heat and power technology), we would like to evaluate options and interest in bidding for not only the design and build of the REC, but also the ongoing maintenance and operation. The University are open to options including medium to long term comprehensive, performance-based maintenance packages for a sub-set of key, named assets through to the full operation, continuous improvement and potential expansion of the heating and cooling system from source to the point of delivery into the buildings served. In the first instance please express interest in via Intend at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofwarwick and we will be in touch. Please note: The University of Warwick is not a Contracting Authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) or the Procurement Act 2023 and associated Procurement Regulations 2024 (and as may be amended from time to time) and its procurement activities are not subject to the requirements set out therein or the obligations under the European Public Procurement Directives, including the European Remedies Directive. Should the University advertise contracts in the Official Journal of the European Union, Find-A-Tender platform or other contract opportunity advertising site or platform, this is at the sole discretion of the University and is undertaken on a voluntary basis with no implied obligation to comply with the procurement legislation.

Planning Information

Potential Suppliers are requested to express interest via the Intend portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofwarwick.ac.uk. The University will then be in touch to invite discussions with University Stakeholders that will be used to inform options on the delivery and ongoing operation for the energy centre and associated network. Although the University has extensive experience of operating large scale centralised energy centres, (energy centres based on gas boiler and combined heat and power technology), we would like to evaluate options and interest in bidding for not only the design and build of the REC, but also the ongoing maintenance and operation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056bef
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045481-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

45251000 - Construction works for power plants and heating plants

45251200 - Heating plant construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
22 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
12 Dec 2025 - 1 Sep 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Contact Name
Marie Hughes
Contact Email
m.l.hughes@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Phone
02476151049

Buyer Location

Locality
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV4 8UW
Post Town
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG33 Coventry
Delivery Location
TLG33 Coventry
Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
Wainbody
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-056bef-2025-08-04T09:18:25+01:00",
    "date": "2025-08-04T09:18:25+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-056bef",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-RC000678",
            "name": "UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "RC000678"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "University House, Kirby Corner Road",
                "locality": "Coventry",
                "postalCode": "CV4 8UW",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG33"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Marie Hughes",
                "email": "m.l.hughes@warwick.ac.uk",
                "telephone": "02476151049"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://warwick.ac.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-RC000678",
        "name": "UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Potential Suppliers are requested to express interest via the Intend portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofwarwick.ac.uk. The University will then be in touch to invite discussions with University Stakeholders that will be used to inform options on the delivery and ongoing operation for the energy centre and associated network. Although the University has extensive experience of operating large scale centralised energy centres, (energy centres based on gas boiler and combined heat and power technology), we would like to evaluate options and interest in bidding for not only the design and build of the REC, but also the ongoing maintenance and operation.",
                "dueDate": "2025-08-22T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "045481-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045481-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-04T09:18:25+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "24018 REC",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Renewable Energy Centre (REC)",
        "description": "The scope of the REC Phase 1 is set out within the RIBA Stage 3 Design Report that has been made available through the In-Tend portal. The Renewable Energy Centre (REC) and associated distribution networks have been developed to provide an efficient, low carbon, flexible and adaptable heating and cooling solution for planned new buildings at the University. This project is viewed as key step in delivering a new, low-carbon network at the University of Warwick, and anticipated to eventually lead to the convergence of the Universities existing fossil fuel based network with lower carbon systems The new energy centre and network must: Be innovative, efficient and cost effective in construction and operation. Be appropriate to the heating and cooling demands of the connected loads. Recover energy at every opportunity. Minimise the electrical network reinforcement works and costs needed to support the new energy system. In Phase 1 the proposed design has the capacity to generate c.4 megawatts of simultaneous heating and cooling output to two buildings - STEM Phase 1 and Social Science Connect via an underground pipe network. The design includes potential to increase output capacity through a (future) Phase 2 compound as dictated by future demands. We are inviting expressions of interest and engagement from potential bidders to inform options on the delivery and ongoing operation for the energy centre and associated network. Although the University has extensive experience of operating large scale centralised energy centres, (energy centres based on gas boiler and combined heat and power technology), we would like to evaluate options and interest in bidding for not only the design and build of the REC, but also the ongoing maintenance and operation. The University are open to options including medium to long term comprehensive, performance-based maintenance packages for a sub-set of key, named assets through to the full operation, continuous improvement and potential expansion of the heating and cooling system from source to the point of delivery into the buildings served. In the first instance please express interest in via Intend at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofwarwick and we will be in touch. Please note: The University of Warwick is not a Contracting Authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) or the Procurement Act 2023 and associated Procurement Regulations 2024 (and as may be amended from time to time) and its procurement activities are not subject to the requirements set out therein or the obligations under the European Public Procurement Directives, including the European Remedies Directive. Should the University advertise contracts in the Official Journal of the European Union, Find-A-Tender platform or other contract opportunity advertising site or platform, this is at the sole discretion of the University and is undertaken on a voluntary basis with no implied obligation to comply with the procurement legislation.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45220000",
                        "description": "Engineering works and construction works"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45251000",
                        "description": "Construction works for power plants and heating plants"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45251200",
                        "description": "Heating plant construction work"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKG33",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "works",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2025-12-12T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2027-09-01T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}