Planning

Barrow EnergyDock Floating Solar - Royal Port of Barrow

ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Feb 2026 at 16:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Associated British Ports (ABP) is engaging in the planning phase of a utility-scale floating solar project, titled "Barrow EnergyDock Floating Solar," at the Royal Port of Barrow, Cavendish Dock, Barrow-in-Furness. This initiative is focused on market engagement to assess supply chain capabilities, with the intent to install a 32 MW solar array over approximately 18 hectares. The procurement procedure is governed by the Procurement Act 2023, and ABP plans to publish a briefing pack and collect insights through their Supplier Portal to inform procurement strategies. The preliminary market engagement deadline is set for 12th March 2026, and a detailed procurement procedure is planned for later if the decision to proceed is made. The industry category primarily involves solar energy and associated installation works.

This project represents significant business growth opportunities for EPC contractors with experience in utility-scale solar or marine works, as well as for OEMs of floating solar platforms and relevant balance-of-plant providers. Additionally, businesses specialising in operations and maintenance (O&M) of floating or terrestrial solar installations are encouraged to participate. Engaging in this preliminary stage offers businesses the chance to influence the procurement strategy with their expertise and potentially secure roles in subsequent phases, contributing to the innovative energy infrastructure at the port. The project aims to establish a successful collaborative framework where experienced companies can thrive, particularly those adept in navigating the complexities of marine and large-scale solar operations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Barrow EnergyDock Floating Solar - Royal Port of Barrow

Notice Description

Associated British Ports (ABP) is exploring market capability and appetite to deliver a utility-scale floating solar array at Cavendish Dock, Barrow-in-Furness. The indicative project is a circa 32 megawatt (MW) floating solar installation occupying approximately 18 hectares with annual output capable of powering the equivalent of 10,100 homes. The market engagement will inform ABP's procurement, packaging and contract strategy, providing insights into appropriate delivery models (including but not limited to EPC and EPC+O&M), key risks and constraints (including marine environment, moorings/anchoring, electrical and civil balance of plant and grid connection), and the supply chain's ability to meet the programme.

Planning Information

Purpose of this UK2 Notice: to invite suppliers to participate in preliminary market engagement for the Barrow EnergyDock Floating Solar project. ABP intends to: • publish a briefing pack and project overview on the ABP Supplier Portal; • capture supply chain capability, capacity, market insights and feedback via a Microsoft Forms questionnaire (accessible through the portal); and • offer optional engagement sessions focused on EPC contractors/consortia. • Insights from engagement will inform ABP’s procurement strategy, commercial and delivery approach. This UK2 is not a call for competition. Engagement structure: • Launch project and information on ABP Supplier Portal with project overview. • MS Forms questionnaire published to capture capability, capacity and feedback. • Targeted engagement sessions with EPC contractors/consortia. • Following the market engagement exercise ABP will consider the outcomes. If a decision is to proceed, a procurement strategy will be developed, and a procurement procedure will be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced contractor. Desired Respondents: • EPC contractors experienced in utility-scale floating or terrestrial solar (≥10 MW) or large-scale solar-plus-marine works. • OEMs for floating solar platforms and anchoring/mooring systems; PV module and inverter manufacturers offering bankable warranties. • Civil and Electrical balance-of-plant providers (HV cabling, substations/transformers, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), directional drilling) and grid connection specialists. • Operations & Maintenance (O&M) providers with demonstrable track record in floating solar, terrestrial solar or offshore renewables; asset management and performance. How to Participate: Suppliers should register on the ABP Supplier Portal and search for the Barrow EnergyDock Floating Solar – Market Engagement. Complete the MS Forms questionnaire via the portal to be considered for engagement sessions. Queries should be submitted through the portal messaging function. ABP Supplier Portal – https://in-tendhost.co.uk/abp/aspx/Home Additional Information: • This preliminary market engagement is conducted under Procurement Act 2023. Publication of this UK2 notice precedes any UK4 tender notice. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this early engagement notice. Participation does not confer any advantage in a future procurement or guarantee an invitation to participate in any future procurement process that ABP conduct. • This Early engagement Notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any works or services and in not published to reduce time limits for the receipt of tenders. • ABP are not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party responding to the Early Engagement Notice or any party who may participated in any future procurement process. • In the event that ABP decides to proceed with any procurement it is assumed this will be carried out in accordance with the procurement regulations enforceable at that time. • This Early Engagement Notice does not constitute any commitment by ABP to undertake any procurement exercise for this project. • ABP may share a summarised procurement strategy resulting from the engagement insights.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064970
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010686-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

09330000 - Solar energy

09331000 - Solar panels

09332000 - Solar installation

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

45315100 - Electrical engineering installation works

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Feb 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Mar 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
27 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2027 6-12 months
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
ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@abports.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
WC2E 9ES
Post Town
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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