Planning

GCRE Energy & Data Centre Opportunity - Updated 2026

GCRE LTD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Jan 2026 at 10:20

S2W Notice - Website Prior Information Notice
Summary of the contracting process

GCRE Ltd, based in Neath Port Talbot, is in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "GCRE Energy & Data Centre Opportunity - Updated 2026." This opportunity is categorized under the works industry, specifically within the energy and construction sectors. The primary goal is to find an Energy and Data Centre Partner to develop data centre assets and potentially renewable energy sources at the GCRE site in South Wales, on a 700-hectare area previously used as an open-cast mine. Strategic importance is highlighted with its proximity to Bridgend, Cardiff, and a newly announced AI Growth Zone. The procurement involves multiple stages and includes key dates, such as the closing for Conditions of Participation responses on 10 March 2026 at noon. This announcement is a speculative notice aimed at securing a long-term investment partner, rather than a conventional purchase of goods or services.

This tender provides a compelling opportunity for businesses involved in construction, energy, and related services to partner with a government-owned entity and contribute to a landmark project set to be the UK’s first net zero in operation railway. The development offers substantial business growth potential, leveraging large land assets and strategic positioning near key infrastructure. Ideal contenders are those capable of acquiring and developing data centre sites and renewable energy capabilities, with the possibility of securing a 999-year lease on land. Additionally, entities with expertise in energy management and construction would suit this ambitious project, which has significant political and community backing due to its potential economic impact on the region.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

GCRE Energy & Data Centre Opportunity - Updated 2026

Notice Description

The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) is offering a major new competition to secure an Energy and Data Centre Partner (EDCP) for its 700-hectare site. This Notice is not for purchase of services, goods or works, it is advertising an opportunity for an investment partner to develop Data Centre (DC) assets and potentially Renewable Energy Sources (RES) at the GCRE site.GCRE is a new, purpose-built facility being developed in South Wales that has the potential to become Europe's leading centre for rail and sustainable mobility innovation. GCRE is set to become the UK's first ever net zero in operation railway. Located on a former open cast mine equivalent to the size of Gatwick Airport, the company is seeking an investment partner to develop Data Centre assets and potentially Renewable Energy Sources (RES) at the site.Any interested parties will need to sign and return a Confidentiality Agreement (CA) prior to gaining access to all associated documentation. The CA can be found attached to this Speculative Notice and also on our Website (https://www.gcre.wales/) and should be returned to StrategicInvestment@gcre.walesThe Conditions of Participation (COP) documentation will be made available to anyone with a valid CA, via the eTenderWales portal which you must be registered with in order to access the ITT documents. You can register for free here (emails registered must be those detailed on the CA):https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtmlThe opportunity to submit a COP response is currently programmed to close at 12 noon on 10 March 2026 and COP responses will no longer be accepted after closing. Responses will be submitted via the eTenderWales portal.This is a unique opportunity for Bidders:- Long-term partnering with a government-owned entity owning large land assets.- 700 Ha site only 30km from Bridgend and 50km from Cardiff where DC clusters are already forming.- Adjacency to recently announced AI Growth Zone for South Wales- 400kV and 132kV grid crossing the site. Nearby National Grid 400kV Grid Supply Point being planned.- Excellent future fibre connectivity.- Development of RES assets on site.- Multiple options to bring further renewables onto site via private wires.- Huge local and regional development value in conjunction with GCRE establishing the first Net Zero international rail R&D and testing cluster.- Deep political and community support for the jobs and opportunities that will be created in an under-invested area.What GCRE is seeking:Mandatory - A proposal to acquire land of up to c.80 Ha, on a 999 year lease, to develop a DC.Optional - A proposal to lease land of up to c.140 Ha, to develop a solar farm and potentially other RES assets.This Speculative Notice is informing any interested parties that this investment opportunity is open, the Confidentiality Agreement is available for execution and access to the COP documentation will be made available.This competition is not a regulated procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, but is informing interested parties of a major investment opportunity at the GCRE site in South Wales.NOTE: THIS NOTICE IS NOT BEING ADMINISTERED VIA SELL2WALES AND WILL NOT HAVE A FOLLOW UP NOTICERecording your interest here on the Sell2Wales site will not give you access to further information, nor will there be any further Notices or information issued on Sell2Wales.If you are interested in this investment opportunity you are advised to sign the Confidentiality Agreement (attached to this Notice) and return it to StrategicInvestment@gcre.wales after which the interested party will be granted access to all relevant documentation.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=160195.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-kuma6s-160195
Publication Source
Sell2Wales
Latest Notice
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=160195
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
S2W Notice - Website Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
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

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

09300000 - Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy

45000000 - Construction work

45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

45251160 - Wind-power installation works

71314000 - Energy and related services

71314200 - Energy-management services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
GCRE LTD
Contact Name
Tamara Evans
Contact Email
Not specified
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
NEATH PORT TALBOT
Postcode
SA10 9HN
Post Town
Swansea
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL4 Mid and South West Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL44 Neath Port Talbot
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Neath Port Talbot
Electoral Ward
Crynant, Onllwyn and Seven Sisters
Westminster Constituency
Neath and Swansea East

Further Information

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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