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Ipswich Heat Network Development Partner

Suffolk County Council

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

20 Apr 2026 at 09:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

13 Apr 2026 at 14:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

31 Mar 2026 at 16:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

31 Mar 2026 at 15:23

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

23 Mar 2026 at 11:15

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

23 Mar 2026 at 11:07

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Jan 2026 at 16:53

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is actively seeking a Funding and Development Partner to develop, fund, deliver, and operate the Ipswich Heat Network. This ambitious project, located in Ipswich, falls under the works category, specifically urban development and energy services, and is part of a concession special regime. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with the latest planning update dated 20 April 2026. Key dates include the submission deadline for questionnaire responses by 30 April 2026, and a future notice date set for 25 May 2026. The Council's preferred delivery method is through a Joint Venture, with Suffolk County Council holding a Golden or Special Share, aiming to establish a robust heat network utilising the River Gipping as the primary heat source.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in energy, infrastructure, and urban development, valued at approximately £301 million. Businesses that can offer innovative solutions for sustainable energy delivery, especially those capable of forming strategic Joint Ventures, are well-suited to compete. Sub-central government authorities, legal, technical, financial, and commercial advisors associated with Suffolk County Council are integral to the planning process, emphasising the collaborative approach and expertise needed. Companies with experience in concession projects, district heating systems, and energy efficiency will find this project particularly advantageous for expanding their portfolios and contributing to sustainable urban infrastructure development in Ipswich.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Ipswich Heat Network Development Partner

Notice Description

Suffolk County Council (the "Council") is seeking to appoint a Funding and Development Partner who will develop, fund, deliver and operate the Ipswich Heat Network. The Council has been leading on the feasibility of a heat network project since 2021 and has now secured PS10 million from the Government's Green Heat Network Fund to secure a private sector partner to deliver the core network. The core network reference scheme is in Ipswich Town Centre and the intention is that the primary heat source will be the River Gipping. The network is currently expected to provide over 30 GWh of heat each year to public buildings across Ipswich. The Council's preferred delivery vehicle is a Joint Venture with the Council anchoring and promoting the project delivery and funding provided from the private sector. The Council would hold a Golden or Special Share.

Planning Information

To support this preliminary market engagement exercise the Council has developed a detailed market update document setting out more detail about the project and inviting responses to a short questionnaire. This document can be downloaded from the Suffolk Sourcing portal, accessible via the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/suffolksourcing/aspx/ProjectManage/20127 (If not already registered on Suffolk Sourcing you will be able to register from the link) Completed questionnaires should be submitted to the Council by 12:00 noon on 30 April 2026. Please submit your response through the Portal. As a result of the recent announcement of the outcome of the local government reorganisation ("LGR") for Suffolk, a decision has been taken to pause the Ipswich District Heat Network Project (the "Project") while the implications of the announcement are worked through. As the LGR outcome is likely to require substantial local reorganisation, it is right that this is given due consideration prior to engaging the market in a formal procurement process. We will therefore be postponing the forthcoming Supplier Day and the procurement process for a Development Partner will not now commence until the future direction of the Project has been aligned to our newly reorganised local government landscape. This decision is not taken lightly but has been taken in recognition that competing for an opportunity such as our Project requires a significant commitment from Suppliers in terms of both time and cost. Given the uncertainty regarding the reorganised local context, we feel it would be unfair to ask the market to make such a commitment when there remains such a degree of uncertainty as to the establishment of Suffolk's future councils. Notwithstanding the above, our commitment to the Project remains and therefore we would still welcome the opportunity to sit down on a 1:1 basis with any Suppliers who wish to discuss the Project at this time. If you would like to arrange a discussion of this sort, please contact us at IpswichHeatNetwork@Suffolk.gov.uk by 17th April 2026. The Council will then respond with a proposed time for a meeting. We would also encourage providers who are interested in this opportunity to register on the new Central Digital Platform, following the guidance at the following web address: https://shorturl.at/kigP

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060dc2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035439-2026
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
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

45211360 - Urban development construction work

45232140 - District-heating mains construction work

45232141 - Heating works

71314000 - Energy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£301,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
25 May 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 1 Apr 2067 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Suffolk County 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
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Postcode Area
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC
Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

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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