Planning

Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 May 2026 at 08:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Essex is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement." The initiative aims to increase renewable electricity usage at their Colchester campus, located in the UKH34 region, by employing a Design, Build, Fund, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) model and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). Interested parties should note that a preliminary market engagement notice has been published, with submissions needed by 21st June 2026. This phase aims to explore optimal PPA structures, pricing mechanisms, and contract approaches to enhance affordability and flexibility. The procurement, categorised under "services" and "energy and related services," envisions a substantial investment with a contract period planned from 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2057.

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses focused on renewable energy solutions and infrastructure. Companies skilled in solar power systems, energy management, and sustainable utility operations will find the project promising for growth, as it involves potentially large-scale implementations such as PV Solar Farms, heat networks, and solar installations on buildings and car ports. Suppliers able to offer innovative solutions to enhance energy efficiency and renewable output stand to benefit from engaging with the University as they plan long-term renewable energy utilisation strategies.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement

Notice Description

The University aims to increase the proportion of renewable electricity at its Colchester campus, reduce spend on utilities and carbon emissions from energy. It wishes to do this through a Design, Build, Fund, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) model and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). There are potential opportunities to deliver these aims via a number of different routes, including; 1. Renewable electricity generated via a large-scale PV Solar Farm (potentially to include BESS and wind). 2. Low carbon heat supplied through a heat network and energy centre. 3. Renewable electricity generated via on campus PV Solar installed on building roofs. 4. Renewable electricity generated via PV Solar Car Ports on University car parks. Prior to going to tender, through this Premarket Engagement exercise, the University wishes to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges, optimal PPA structures, pricing mechanisms, contract approaches, durations to balance affordability, risk, and flexibility. It welcomes commentary on the key risks, constraints, and enablers associated with delivering the proposed projects. d3251ca6-2deb-4d4e-abd7-1a4821c845b9

Planning Information

Please navigate to the Premarket Engagement page for this potential project within our e-procurement system "Proactis", accessible via the address below: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login Attached to the project Premarket Engagement area are: a) Client brief and site maps b) Market questionnaire There is also a dialogue facility to raise clarification questions. The University will review submissions from the market and may select a number of respondees with which to discuss the potential project further. d3251ca6-2deb-4d4e-abd7-1a4821c845b9

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069ab7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045224-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

09000000 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

71314000 - Energy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£108,330,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
21 Jun 20265 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2057 Over 5 years
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
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COLCHESTER
Postcode
CO4 3SQ
Post Town
Colchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Delivery Location
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Local Authority
Colchester
Electoral Ward
Wivenhoe
Westminster Constituency
Harwich and North Essex

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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