Tender

Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan

ENTERPRISE CHESHIRE AND WARRINGTON

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

16 Feb 2026 at 17:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

16 Feb 2026 at 16:02

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington is currently seeking consultancy support to develop a Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan, in coordination with local councils. The procurement, valued at £75,000, is conducted under an open competition below threshold and involves services within the research consultancy industry. The location for this tender is the United Kingdom, focusing specifically on the Cheshire and Warrington region. Interested bidders must submit their enquiries by 3rd March 2026, with the tender submission deadline set for 11th March 2026. The contract period is slated to commence on 23rd March 2026 and conclude on 23rd September 2026, marking the current stage as active within the procurement process.

This opportunity presents significant growth potential for businesses specialising in research services and consultancy, particularly those adept at addressing complex energy infrastructure challenges. The tender caters to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), encouraging innovative approaches to clean energy transition. Potential bidders should demonstrate expertise in technical solutions, stakeholder engagement, and project management to support strategic energy planning and development across Cheshire and Warrington. Success in securing this contract could position firms as key contributors to advancing regional energy infrastructure and attract further inward investment opportunities, vital for promoting sustainable local growth and aligning with government energy targets by 2030.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan

Notice Description

ECW, on behalf of and in coordination with Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, and Warrington Borough Councils, is seeking to appoint consultancy support to produce a Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan; providing the evidence base to support local growth ambitions and investment pipeline development, support future spatial development work in Cheshire and Warrington, and support engagement in the NESO Regional Energy Strategic Planning (RESP) process. This commission will provide a strong local evidence base for current and future demand, and build the case for investment in energy infrastructure to support both local growth ambitions and commitments in our Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Strategy to support the local energy transition and government ambitions for Clean Power by 2030. Clean Energy is one vital component of Cheshire and Warrington growth ambitions, with unique existing (e.g. VisNet, Gas Storage Facilities) and upcoming (e.g. HyNet, HALEU) infrastructure providing substantial opportunities for us to pioneer approaches to clean power and industrial decarbonisation. This infrastructure will support wider growth opportunities, ensuring that Cheshire and Warrington is an attractive location for housing growth, business development, and reindustrialisation. To better grasp this opportunity, it is vital we: 1. Better understand our baseline energy demand. 2. Have access to light-touch scenario planning to anticipate the likely changes to generation and demand over the next 5-10 years. 3. Can clearly and consistently produce early evidence for RESP, DSO, and NGET to secure strategic reinforcement to grid. 4. Understand the integration of different energy transition vectors across the C&W landscape. 5. Can drive investment to strategically vital energy projects in Cheshire and Warrington that support wider economic development. This commission will provide the foundation for attracting inward investment in Cheshire and Warrington. In the first instance it will ensure a clear understanding of the current and future energy infrastructure requirements, supporting the business case for major developments currently stalled by grid constraints (e.g. Mersey Ring), and position the region competitively for national funding streams in 2027-28 which will be available via DSO ED3, potential T3 re-openers, and the NESO RESP process. This ITT sets out the information which is required in order to assess the suitability of bidders in terms of their technical approach and solutions, stakeholder engagement and relationships management, quality assurange and project management approach, and value for money to meet the requirements of ECW for the development of a Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06553d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014054-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

73210000 - Research consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£75,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£75,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Feb 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
11 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
23 Mar 2026 - 23 Sep 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ENTERPRISE CHESHIRE AND WARRINGTON
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
tenders@cheshireandwarrington.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WINSFORD
Postcode
CW7 1AH
Post Town
Crewe
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Winsford Dene
Westminster Constituency
Mid Cheshire

Further Information

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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