Planning

Kent Bioresources Request for Information

SOUTHERN WATER SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

13 Jan 2026 at 14:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

13 Nov 2025 at 14:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Southern Water Services Limited is in the planning stage of the Kent Bioresources Project, a significant initiative aimed at modernising and consolidating sewage sludge treatment operations across Kent. This project, part of Southern Water’s long-term bioresources strategy, seeks to enhance efficiency, resilience, and compliance with evolving environmental standards. Currently, Southern Water operates multiple sludge treatment centres, which will be consolidated into three new advanced sites located in Ashford, Ham Hill, and Motney Hill, beginning construction in April 2027. The project focuses on the utilities industry category, specifically on construction works for sewage treatment plants. The Request for Information (RFI) process for this project is open until 31st January 2026, with townhall events and bilateral sessions planned for stakeholder engagement.

This project presents considerable opportunities for businesses in construction, advanced technology provision, and finance, particularly those with expertise in sludge treatment solutions and innovative technologies such as Advanced Anaerobic Digestion and biogas utilisation. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, given the project's suitability for such entities. The contractual approach may involve a single third-party DBFOM contract, offering avenues for collaboration and partnership models such as Special Purpose Vehicles. This engagement can enable businesses to contribute to a major infrastructural revamp, potentially leading to long-term growth and sustained service provision opportunities in the wastewater treatment sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Kent Bioresources Request for Information

Notice Description

Project Purpose Southern Water Services Limited (SWS) is initiating the Kent Bioresources Project to modernise and consolidate its sludge treatment operations across Kent. The project forms a key part of SWS's long-term bioresources strategy to deliver a more efficient, resilient, and compliant asset base aligned with future environmental standards and the company's AMP8 priorities. Background Southern Water currently treats approximately 6 million m3 of sewage sludge per year across its wastewater treatment network, operating 16 sludge treatment centres (STCs) supported by a large transport and recycling operation. In Kent, the current system comprises seven STCs processing around 42,000 tonnes dry solids (TDS) annually. A combination of ageing infrastructure, evolving regulation, and tightening environmental standards -- including restrictions on landbank use, air-emission limits, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS -- necessitates a shift toward advanced, centralised treatment solutions. Project Vision The Kent Bioresources Project proposes to consolidate seven existing sludge treatment centres into three new "super-sites" that will employ Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD), CHP biogas utilisation, or biomethane upgrading for grid injection. The indicative preferred sites are: * Ashford STC (South Kent) * Ham Hill STC (North Kent) * Motney Hill WTW (Medway) - this has been added since the last market engagement. Sites are expected to require full redevelopment, including new reception, digestion, dewatering, and energy recovery infrastructure. We also have commenced feasibility studies for plants in Hampshire and Sussex to be upgraded to AAD too. Delivery Approach Southern Water is exploring delivery through a single third-party DBFOM (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain) contract, though alternative contracting structures remain open for market input. Indicative features include: * Long-term, performance-based contract structure. * Off-balance-sheet treatment of capital investment preferred. * Potential Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or consortium delivery model. * Opportunities for collaboration among civil contractors, technology providers, funders, and operators.

Planning Information

To participate in the RFI please go to https://southernwater.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60637 And follow the instructions in PQQ_907 Kent Bioresources Request for information. The RFI will remain open until 31st January. By registering you will also receive details on our townhall event expected in Spring 2026 followed by 1-2-1 bilateral sessions with competent providers and investors. This RFI follows on from, and has been informed by, the market engagement activities undertaken in early 2024, details of which can be found here www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004012-2024. These earlier sessions, including a market engagement event and subsequent one-to-one discussions, provided valuable insights into market capacity, delivery preferences, and potential partnership models. The feedback received has helped shape the current approach and the areas of focus set out in this Request for Information. Market Engagement Objectives Through this RFI, Southern Water seeks to: • Gauge market appetite across the investor, construction, and technology supply chain. • Understand preferred contracting and financing models. • Explore innovative technical solutions (e.g., alternative advanced treatment processes, resource recovery, or third-party waste integration). • Identify key delivery risks, interfaces, and opportunities for resilience.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e09c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002717-2026
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45252000 - Construction works for sewage treatment plants, purification plants and refuse incineration plants

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 20267 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 30 Mar 2055 Over 5 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
SOUTHERN WATER SERVICES LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
kirsty.lodge@southernwater.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WORTHING
Postcode
BN13 3NX
Post Town
Brighton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Worthing
Electoral Ward
Northbrook
Westminster Constituency
Worthing West

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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