Planning

Cardiff Heat Network Expansion Project

CARDIFF COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Jan 2026 at 08:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff Council, a public authority under the Welsh devolved regulations, is in the planning stage of a significant procurement process for the expansion of the Cardiff Heat Network. This project, titled "Cardiff Heat Network Expansion Project," falls under the works category and will be conducted as a tender with a framework agreement. The project involves civil engineering works, with contract values ranging from £300,000 to £10 million per package. The procurement is located in Cardiff, United Kingdom, with a framework period expected from December 2026 to November 2030, extendable to November 2034. Market engagement is currently open for capability statements and expressions of interest until 9th February 2026.

The Cardiff Heat Network Expansion Project offers substantial opportunities for businesses involved in civil engineering, highway work, pipe installation, and building connections. With contract packages ranging significantly in value, the tender presents lucrative prospects for both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large contractors. This initiative encourages participation from contractors capable of delivering comprehensive design, management, and installation services, and those able to adapt to the framework's call-off nature will find this a particularly fitting opportunity to enhance their portfolio and expand their operations in the low-carbon district heating sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Cardiff Heat Network Expansion Project

Notice Description

UKDEA Member Cardiff Heat Network Ltd (CHN) is inviting early market interest for upcoming expansion projects to support the ongoing growth of the city's low-carbon district heating system. Future works will be delivered on a call-off basis under a framework contract with the selected contractor. The works will encompass both small and large network connections to the existing networks, with anticipated annual contract values for individual packages ranging from PS300,000 to PS10 million. The scope is expected to include full design, civils, pipe and substation installation, commissioning and where an existing building, integration into secondary-side systems. The scope of the framework will include but not be limited: 1. Highways and Civil Works: GPR surveys, utility mapping, trial holes, trenching, reinstatement, and coordination within the public highway, TTRO's, phase road closure coordination, etc. 2. Easements and Access: Support with wayleaves and optimal routing. 3. Pipe Installation and Commissioning: Pre-insulated pipework installation, welding, NDT testing, ice pigging, water filling, chemical conditioning, balancing, system commissioning and certification. 4. Building Connections: (where required - internal pipework modifications to connect to existing secondary circuits), installation and commissioning of customer substations, BMS integration and controls. 5. Design, Management & Safety: Multi-disciplinary design, project management, Principal Contractor role under CDM, community engagement and full compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards. CHN is seeking capability statements and expressions of interest from suitable contractors or consortiums ahead of launching a formal procurement process which will take place via a procurement portal selected by CHN. If any member would like to respond to this request, please submit your expression of interest and capability statement via Proactis Any questions regarding this process please submit them via the question tab on Proactis

Planning Information

We are requesting capability statements and expression of interests from suitable contractors or consortiums.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060723
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003683-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20268 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2030 4-5 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
CARDIFF COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ardalprocurement@cardiff.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 4UW
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Butetown
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

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. 

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