Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Heat network techno-economic feasibility study for Didcot

Vale of White Horse District Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Oct 2026 at 12:16

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Tender

05 Jun 2026 at 16:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Vale of White Horse District Council commissioned a techno-economic feasibility study for a low-carbon heat network in an area northwest of Didcot, Oxfordshire. The study examines whether proposed heat network zones can be combined or expanded, including opportunities from planned data centres on brownfield land near Didcot Power Station and their potential waste heat. The work covers heat demand and sources, distribution networks and energy-centre sites, and assesses the technical and economic feasibility of possible schemes. It must consider delivery models with different levels of council leadership and investment, risks and timescales, and recommend next steps. The findings are intended to inform future delivery, heat network zoning policy and a Green Heat Network Fund application, and support the council’s economic case for an Outline Business Case.

The procurement is complete and the contract has been awarded to NORDIC ENERGY LTD. The council used a below-threshold open competition for a single lot. The tender closed on 10 July 2026. The estimated lot value was £84,000 including VAT (£70,000 excluding VAT); the signed contract value is £50,400 including VAT (£42,000 excluding VAT). The award date is not stated. The contract was signed on 28 September 2026 and runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Evaluation was based on price (60%), quality (30%), carbon reduction and energy efficiency (5%), and social value (5%). Small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises were considered suitable to participate.

For suppliers preparing for comparable work from Vale of White Horse District Council, the award indicates demand for specialist heat-network feasibility advice that connects technical and economic modelling with practical delivery planning. Credible providers will need to identify heat demands, heat sources, potential network routes and energy-centre sites, assess scheme viability and explain modelling assumptions and counterfactuals. Experience in heat network zoning, low-carbon heat and waste-heat opportunities from data-centre developments would be relevant to this specific requirement. The study also calls for knowledge of the latest Heat Networks Delivery Unit guidance and alignment with the CIBSE/ADE Heat Network Code of Practice. Suppliers should be able to develop council delivery options, produce clear recommendations and evidence suitable for investment decisions, an HM Treasury-compliant Outline Business Case and a Green Heat Network Fund application. The council considered smaller businesses suitable for the work.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Heat network techno-economic feasibility study for Didcot

Notice Description

This project will deliver a heat network feasibility study for an area northwest of Didcot. The study will consider the potential combination and/or expansion of potential heat network zones identified by the National Zoning Model (NZM), by incorporating opportunities provided by adjacent data centre development proposals. 400,000sqm of data centres are proposed by several developers on brownfield land adjacent to the operational Didcot Power Station (Oxfordshire). The NZM has not considered these future waste heat sources. The overarching aims of this study are: To review heat network zone development opportunities, to help prepare for the introduction of heat network zoning policy. To determine whether heat network scheme(s) for the specified area are viable. To understand how heat network schemes can be delivered in alignment with the forthcoming Heat Network Zoning Regulations. To set out for the council the range of possible delivery models based on different levels of local authority leadership and investment. To provide decision makers with recommendations which describe the next steps required to take the project through to delivery. Study Objectives & Work Package Summary: The council will commission a techno-economic feasibility study, incorporating elements on heat network zoning, for the development of a low carbon heat network at Didcot. This specification is based on the Heat Networks Delivery Unit Zoning Study and Feasibility Study Specifications from February 2026, with some additions to reflect the local context and circumstances. The outputs should meet the requirements to support a Green Heat Network Fund application. The study objectives are: Identify the potential for heat network zones and/or heat networks in alignment with the Heat Network Zoning Policy, reviewing the currently proposed zones and potential for expansion. Assess the technical and economic feasibility of conceptual heat network projects within the local area. Identify the key heat demand opportunities, key heat sources, and the potential energy centre sites that may unlock delivery of heat network zones. Identify any key timescales, opportunities and risks to the development of the heat networks identified. Produce a report to summarise the findings of the study. Scope of Works: The following scope of works outlines the key activities to be undertaken as part of this study. The process involves identifying major heat demands, heat sources, and potential distribution networks, and reviewing potential heat network zones. Techno-economic modelling should be undertaken a high-level alongside a description of the assumptions used, including the counterfactuals assumed. The study must provide the Client with a clear and justifiable basis upon which to evaluate the full potential for heat networks in the study area, for both the short and long-term and how these may best be delivered. It should also be sufficient to enable the Client to complete the Economic Case within an HM Treasury compliant Outline Business Case. For avoidance of doubt, the consultant should check what the latest guidance is from HNDU. The study should be aligned with the latest CIBSE/ADE Heat Network Code of Practice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06af13
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093300-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71313000 - Environmental engineering consultancy services

71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services

71314310 - Heating engineering services for buildings

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£70,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£70,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£42,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
10 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Vale of White Horse District Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABINGDON
Postcode
OX14 3JE
Postcode Area
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Local Authority
Vale of White Horse
Electoral Ward
Abingdon Abbey Northcourt
Westminster Constituency
Oxford West and Abingdon

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Nordic Energy Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...