Tender

Heat network techno-economic feasibility study for Didcot

VALE OF WHITE HORSE DISTRICT COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

05 Jun 2026 at 15:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Vale of White Horse District Council is seeking consultancy services for a techno-economic feasibility study focusing on the development of a low carbon heat network in Didcot. This opportunity is open under an active tender stage, with the procurement process being conducted as an open competition, with submissions allowed electronically until 10th July 2026. The main object of the contract, falling under the categories of environmental engineering and energy-efficiency consultancy services, aims to assess and advance the potential linkage and development of heat network zones, particularly in consideration of waste heat sources from nearby data centre proposals. The total contract value is set at £84,000, with the project scheduled to start on 1st September 2026 and conclude by 31st March 2027.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in environmental and energy consultancy, particularly those with expertise in heat networks and sustainability-focused engineering services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are especially encouraged to apply, with suitability indicated in the tender details. The contract award will be influenced primarily by price, but quality, carbon reduction, and social value will also be considered in the selection process. Businesses will benefit from engaging in a forward-thinking project with the potential to influence regional energy efficiency improvements and align with forthcoming heat network zoning policies.

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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. Please refer to tender documentation for further details.

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/053494-2026
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

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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 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
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
Post Town
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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