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AWE Solar Programme - Burghfield (AWE(B))

AWE PLC

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

29 Jul 2026 at 14:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Atomic Weapons Establishment is procuring a single-supplier renewable energy contract for solar power supplied by direct wire to its Burghfield site near Reading. The requirement covers the delivery of solar energy and the associated electricity infrastructure, including power-system design, construction, electrical and mechanical installation, and repair and maintenance services. The contract is structured as a bespoke power purchase agreement, with a fixed-price tariff subject to indexation. It is intended to support energy supply directly to AWE Burghfield rather than general electricity provision. Suppliers able to develop, install, operate and maintain a solar energy solution, and manage the related long-term power purchase arrangement, are the most relevant audience for this opportunity.

The procurement has reached tender: AWE invited offers through an open competitive flexible procedure. It has one lot and is intended to result in one supplier. The enquiry deadline was 2 September 2026 at 12:00, and the tender submission deadline was 15 September 2026 at 12:00. The contract period is 1 February 2028 to 31 January 2054, with award expected by 16 December 2027. Its estimated value is £48 million, or £57.6 million gross. The process has six stages: participation, initial tenders, negotiation, final tenders, preferred supplier and award decision. Up to six suppliers progress after participation and three after initial tenders. Evaluation is based on price at 50%, technical and quality at 40%, and social value at 10%.

This opportunity suits established renewable energy developers, solar generators, energy infrastructure contractors and power purchase agreement specialists able to provide a complete direct-wire solution. Bidders need to demonstrate legal and financial capacity, technical ability, relevant past experience, and compliance with AWE-specific technical requirements. The work calls for capability in solar generation, electrical power-system design, construction, installation and long-term repair and maintenance, together with the commercial management of a fixed-price, indexed energy tariff. Suppliers must be able to support a 26-year contract and compete through multiple technical and commercial tender stages, including negotiation. Participation requires registration on the Central Digital Platform, completion of AWE procurement-portal registration and a mandatory confidentiality agreement before tender documents can be accessed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

AWE Solar Programme - Burghfield (AWE(B))

Notice Description

The purpose of this procurement is to award a contract for supply of renewable (solar) energy via direct wire to AWE Burghfield (AWE(B)). Following completion of this Procurement, AWE intends to award the Contract to a single Supplier which has provided the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT). The Contract will run for a period of 26 years from the effective date. The terms being used for this Procurement is bespoke Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and will be made available to shortlisted bidders at ISIT stage. There will be no option for AWE to extend the Contract. The Contract will comprise a fixed price tariff with appropriate indexation. Interested parties must register their intention to participate by emailing AWEProcurement@AWE.co.uk using subject: AWE Solar Programme - Burghfield (AWE(B)). Upon receipt, AWE will issue the interested party with a link to register on AWE's Procurement Portal, and mandatory a Confidentiality Agreement. Completion of both are mandatory to access the tender documents.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d68b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071736-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

09310000 - Electricity

09330000 - Solar energy

45000000 - Construction work

50800000 - Miscellaneous repair and maintenance services

51100000 - Installation services of electrical and mechanical equipment

71323100 - Electrical power systems design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£48,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£48,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2028 - 31 Jan 2054 Over 5 years
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
AWE PLC
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG7 4PR
Postcode Area
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Local Authority
West Berkshire
Electoral Ward
Aldermaston
Westminster Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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