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Offsite Direct Wire Power Purchase Agreement (RAF Wittering)

Defence Infrastructure Organisation

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

29 Sep 2026 at 15:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

02 Apr 2026 at 07:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

03 Mar 2026 at 14:10

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

03 Mar 2026 at 11:57

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence, through the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, is planning to buy renewable electricity for RAF Wittering near Peterborough. The proposed arrangement is an off-site power purchase agreement using a private-wire connection to supply the site. The aim is to reduce electricity costs, improve energy resilience, limit exposure to price fluctuations and support emissions reductions in line with government policy. The requirement covers one site. The buyer is seeking power generation to serve part of the site’s electricity demand, with the potential for higher supply volumes if they offer value for money and resilience. This is an energy supply service, rather than a construction contract.

This is a planned procurement, not an invitation to tender. The buyer expects a future tender notice around 3 January 2027, with a target contract start of 14 February 2028. The proposed contract could run for up to 25 years, with a possible extension; the lot dates currently run to 13 March 2048. The estimated value is £28.83 million excluding VAT (£34.596 million including VAT). The buyer is still refining its approach, and these estimates may change. It expects to consider social value using the Government’s Social Value Model, but will confirm the specific award criteria if the procurement proceeds. Market engagement has been undertaken, including a previous supplier session in March 2025 and preliminary engagement with a questionnaire, supplier day and interviews.

The requirement is most relevant to renewable energy developers able to structure and deliver direct-wire power purchase agreements in the UK. The buyer has indicated that relevant experience with projects of a similar size will matter, particularly if it needs to prioritise suppliers for engagement. Developers should be able to propose REGO-compliant renewable technologies and explain how supply volumes could scale as the site’s electricity demand grows, while managing customer risk. Proposals will also need to show value for money and contribute to energy resilience. Suppliers preparing for a future tender should consider how their delivery approach can provide meaningful economic, social and environmental benefits. Modern slavery will be considered during the procurement process.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Offsite Direct Wire Power Purchase Agreement (RAF Wittering)

Notice Description

Objectives: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) to reduce unit electricity costs, increase site energy resilience, limit price volatility risk from its energy portfolio, and support emissions reductions aligned with Government policy. PPA Type: Renewable energy supply for the RAF Wittering site via off-site direct wire connection. Target contract start date: 14/02/28. Volume: Procure power generation to meet up to approximately 2-5GWh/year of electricity consumption for RAF Wittering (total annual consumption of approximately 7.9GWh/year). Provision of higher offtake volumes is dependent on the ability to demonstrate value for money in energy costs achieved and resilience provision. Further, the site demand is expected to grow over the next ~15yrs, potentially 4-fold in electrical demand as more capability is brought onto site and the site decarbonises. Input on ability to support increasing scaling of volume, whilst minimising customer risk is sought. Sites: This procurement is for one site only at RAF Wittering, Peterborough through an off-site arrangement using a private wire. Contract duration: Seeking competitive energy prices for up to 25 years, with potential option to extend. Technology: Open to competitive proposals for Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) compliant technologies. The details provided in this notice are early indicative estimates and may be subject to change/refinement as a result of ongoing analysis and data collection. Previous market engagement: A virtual two-hour supplier engagement session was held on 04/03/2025 to test early market views on high-level PPA options and to support MOD's understanding of market capabilities. Suppliers expressed strong appetite to engage and highlighted key considerations including avoiding over-specification, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and addressing grid-connection and MOD site factors that will shape the delivery approach. Social Value (SV): SV is a mandatory consideration in UK Government procurement. Any potential future tender will be assessed against the Government's Social Value Model themes, ensuring delivery approaches contribute meaningful economic, social, and environmental benefits. Specific Model Award Criteria (MACs) to be utilised within the tender process will be confirmed should the requirement be taken forward. Modern Slavery: MOD must consider the potential of modern slavery at all stages of the procurement lifecycle. Please note this information will be required as part of the procurement process but is not required at this stage.

Planning Information

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME): MOD is seeking to undertake PME to better understand common market practices and to refine the approach for a potential future procurement. MOD would greatly appreciate your engagement and assures suppliers that all responses will be carefully considered but will not bind MOD to any particular approach to the procurement, nor will responses be treated as conveying any promise or commitment on the part of the respondent. Preliminary Market Engagement will include: (a) An optional Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ). For your feedback to be considered, your completed MSQ must be received by 12:00 noon on 24/04/26. (b) An optional virtual Supplier Day 09:30–12:30, 05/05/26, via Microsoft Teams, open to all interested parties. (c) Virtual interviews informed by responses to the MSQ. The proposed dates for the interviews are 11/05/26 to 22/05/26. To indicate your interest in attending the virtual Supplier Day, and to request a link to the MSQ, please email DIOComrcl-FEP@mod.gov.uk noting your interest is in RAF Wittering. The purpose of the MSQ is to gather insights from the market and identify parties for virtual interview. Virtual interviews will use a standardised question set. Due to anticipated demand and MOD staff capacity, parties invited to interview may be limited to suppliers identified through the MSQ that: (a) Are a renewable energy developer, (b) Hold direct wire PPA development experience in the UK, and (c) Have PPA development experience with projects of a similar size. If required, developers will be prioritised for interview based on extent of relevant experience, to maximise insights gathered. MOD may conduct multiple interview rounds and adjust the engagement approach or timelines as the PPA programme evolves. PME is intended to be closed by 22/05/26. Any information shared by MOD during the supplier day and/or other market engagement will be made publicly available to all parties as part of the UK4 tender notice, should the procurement proceed. PME will have no bearing on which suppliers will be invited to participate the tender process. Furthermore, it does not constitute a commitment by the Ministry of Defence to initiate any public procurement activity. This engagement will be conducted in line with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and proportionality under the Procurement Act 2023. Conflict of Interest (COI): All suppliers must identify and disclose any actual or potential COI at the earliest opportunity. This includes any relationships, prior involvement, or circumstances that could affect impartiality. For transparency purposes, if you have a potential or known COI, you must email DIOComrcl-FEP@mod.gov.uk Please note, Clarification Questions are not open at this time. The DIOComrcl-FEP@mod.gov.uk multi-user should only be used to register interest in attending the supplier day, requesting access to the MSQ (and any technical related issues) and / or COI declarations. Any direct or indirect approach to MOD employees or agents regarding this requirement, or any attempt to obtain information from MOD staff outside of the formal procedures outlined in this notice, will not be acknowledged.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0660b7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091987-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71314000 - Energy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£28,830,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Jan 20273 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Feb 2028 - 13 Mar 2048 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
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LICHFIELD
Postcode
WS14 9PY
Postcode Area
Walsall
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG24 Staffordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Lichfield
Electoral Ward
Whittington & Streethay
Westminster Constituency
Tamworth

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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