---
title: "Bolton Heat Network & Advanced Zonal Program"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-054f65"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054f65"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054f65.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054f65.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "BOLTON METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2026-02-18"
---

# Bolton Heat Network & Advanced Zonal Program

Buyer: BOLTON METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-054f65

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054f65)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054f65.json)

## Summary

The Bolton Heat Network & Advanced Zonal Program, led by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, represents a significant procurement initiative aimed at evolving the town's heat network infrastructure. Although initially planned and initiated, an attempt to appoint a development partner via a competitive flexible procedure did not culminate in success, with the tender ultimately being cancelled on 18 February 2026 due to the absence of compliant bids. This project, categorised under services in the energy supplies sector, covers the Bolton area within the United Kingdom (UKD36). Despite the cancellation, prior stages included planning and an active tender phase which sought proposals from stakeholders willing to engage in the commercialisation of the heat network programme through a Development Agreement. Key dates involved a tender period ending on 31 October 2025, with contract commencement originally scheduled for 3 February 2026.

This procurement offered opportunities for businesses in the energy development sector with an interest in public infrastructure projects. With a gross value of £57.5 million, the initiative promised lucrative contracts for developers capable of delivering high-quality technical solutions with an emphasis on social value. The competitive flexible procedure facilitated various stages including an invitation to tender, clarification, and award, fostering transparency and fair competition. Though the contract was not awarded, future similar initiatives could present substantial opportunities are particularly suited to firms with technical and economic readiness to handle large-scale energy projects, thus fostering business growth and community impact. Industries specialising in innovative energy supplies and distribution systems would find these opportunities especially beneficial.

## Notice

Bolton Council wish to appoint an investor / developer of heat networks to commercialise Bolton's heat network Advanced Zonal Program, including the town centre reference scheme from its current status through to a stage that will allow the investor / developer to commit to delivering the AZP and town centre projects. This procurement will appoint a development partner via a Development Agreement.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014896-2026 |
| Notice type | UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 31 Oct 2025 |
| Future notice date | 29 Jul 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 3 Feb 2026 - 2 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £57,500,000 |
| Lots value | £57,500,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Cancelled |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | BOLTON METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | Missing |
| Locality | BOLTON |
| Post town | Bolton |
| Postcode | BL1 1RU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD36 Greater Manchester North West |
| Local authority | Bolton |
| Electoral ward | Queens Park & Central |
| Westminster constituency | Bolton North East |
| Delivery location | TLD3 Greater Manchester |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 65 - Public utilities

### Codes

- 65400000 - Other sources of energy supplies and distribution

## Release History

- 18 Feb 2026 at 15:37 - TenderCancellation - UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014896-2026
- 11 Sep 2025 at 15:56 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055972-2025
- 18 Jun 2025 at 16:01 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033479-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014896-2026
  18th February 2026 - Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055972-2025
  11th September 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033479-2025
  18th June 2025 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=d6ba61c4-1a8f-f011-813a-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21

## Notice URLs

- http://www.bolton.gov.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054f65. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054f65.json.