Planning

Provision of a deep geothermal solution

COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 May 2026 at 13:30

Summary of the contracting process

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is in the planning stage of a procurement process for a deep geothermal heating solution. This initiative, set at their Chester location in the UK, falls under the 'works' industry category. The contracting authority is seeking to replace fossil fuel heating by drilling beyond 500 metres to harness geothermal energy. Suppliers are invited to engage in preliminary market engagement, with a key deadline for this phase set for 26th May 2026. The procurement initiation type is a tender, and engagement notices are already published, encouraging suppliers to participate.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in geothermal energy projects and related services, such as drilling and engineering, to secure a long-term contract with a public health authority. Companies proficient in enhanced and advanced geothermal systems, energy-efficiency consultancy, and engineering design services are particularly well-suited. The procurement is open to SMEs, fostering competitive opportunities for smaller businesses to expand their market presence in the sustainable energy sector. As the project is above the procurement threshold, it promises substantial engagement and growth potential over the duration of the contract period, which is set to start in January 2027 and extend until the end of 2046.

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Notice Title

Provision of a deep geothermal solution

Notice Description

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (The Contracting Authority) is seeking a suitably skilled supplier for a geothermal solution for heating the hospital, to displace fossil fuel heating. The successful Bidder is expected to take the project through a series of technical and project gateways so that an opportunity can be determined as efficiently as possible and then made bankable into an energy services proposal. The Contracting Authority's definition of a deep geothermal solution is defined as drilling beyond 500 metres below surface in order to harness higher temperatures. For deeper geothermal systems, technologies such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) are utilised and are described as follows: EGS: involves improving the permeability of the rocks to create an artificial reservoir in geothermal settings where the subsurface temperatures are high but permeability is low. AGS: are deep, large circuits, with one or more wells drilled into hot rock with fluid circulating through a closed-loop system to bring heat to the surface. Drilling less than 500 metres is considered a shallow geothermal resource more commonly known as a ground source heat pump solution and for the avoidance of doubt, the Contracting Authority is not seeking proposals for this type of solution.

Planning Information

The purpose of this engagement notice is to invite suppliers to participate in preliminary market engagement with a view to understanding the market, developing the authority's requirements and preparing tender documents. Suppliers participating in this market consultation are not guaranteed to receive either an Invitation to Tender (if Invitations to Tender are issued). Please email coch.cps@nhs.net to express interest in taking part in this market engagement process. We will then be in contact to arrange the next steps.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0696c9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043510-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

24 - Chemical products

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

76 - Services related to the oil and gas industry


CPV Codes

24951110 - Drilling mud

34514300 - Platforms drilling rigs

43132200 - Drilling rig

43132300 - Drills

43136000 - Downhole equipment

43611000 - Parts for well-drilling machinery

45000000 - Construction work

71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services

71320000 - Engineering design services

71331000 - Drilling-mud engineering services

71332000 - Geotechnical engineering services

71333000 - Mechanical engineering services

71351000 - Geological, geophysical and other scientific prospecting services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

76211200 - Mudlogging services

76300000 - Drilling services

76410000 - Well-casing and tubing services

76450000 - Well-management services

76460000 - Well-support services

76470000 - Well-testing services

76480000 - Tubing services

76490000 - Well-completion services

76500000 - Onshore and offshore services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 May 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2046 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHESTER
Postcode
CH2 1UL
Post Town
Chester
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
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester

Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Upton
Westminster Constituency
Chester North and Neston

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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