---
title: "Ipswich Heat Network Development Partner"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060dc2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060dc2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060dc2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060dc2.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-20"
---

# Ipswich Heat Network Development Partner

Buyer: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060dc2

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## Summary

Suffolk County Council is actively seeking a Funding and Development Partner to develop, fund, deliver, and operate the Ipswich Heat Network. This ambitious project, located in Ipswich, falls under the works category, specifically urban development and energy services, and is part of a concession special regime. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with the latest planning update dated 20 April 2026. Key dates include the submission deadline for questionnaire responses by 30 April 2026, and a future notice date set for 25 May 2026. The Council's preferred delivery method is through a Joint Venture, with Suffolk County Council holding a Golden or Special Share, aiming to establish a robust heat network utilising the River Gipping as the primary heat source.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in energy, infrastructure, and urban development, valued at approximately £301 million. Businesses that can offer innovative solutions for sustainable energy delivery, especially those capable of forming strategic Joint Ventures, are well-suited to compete. Sub-central government authorities, legal, technical, financial, and commercial advisors associated with Suffolk County Council are integral to the planning process, emphasising the collaborative approach and expertise needed. Companies with experience in concession projects, district heating systems, and energy efficiency will find this project particularly advantageous for expanding their portfolios and contributing to sustainable urban infrastructure development in Ipswich.

## Notice

Suffolk County Council (the "Council") is seeking to appoint a Funding and Development Partner who will develop, fund, deliver and operate the Ipswich Heat Network. The Council has been leading on the feasibility of a heat network project since 2021 and has now secured PS10 million from the Government's Green Heat Network Fund to secure a private sector partner to deliver the core network. The core network reference scheme is in Ipswich Town Centre and the intention is that the primary heat source will be the River Gipping. The network is currently expected to provide over 30 GWh of heat each year to public buildings across Ipswich. The Council's preferred delivery vehicle is a Joint Venture with the Council anchoring and promoting the project delivery and funding provided from the private sector. The Council would hold a Golden or Special Share.

### Planning Information

To support this preliminary market engagement exercise the Council has developed a detailed market update document setting out more detail about the project and inviting responses to a short questionnaire.
This document can be downloaded from the Suffolk Sourcing portal, accessible via the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/suffolksourcing/aspx/ProjectManage/20127
(If not already registered on Suffolk Sourcing you will be able to register from the link)
Completed questionnaires should be submitted to the Council by 12:00 noon on 30 April 2026. Please submit your response through the Portal.
As a result of the recent announcement of the outcome of the local government reorganisation ("LGR") for Suffolk, a decision has been taken to pause the Ipswich District Heat Network Project (the "Project") while the implications of the announcement are worked through. As the LGR outcome is likely to require substantial local reorganisation, it is right that this is given due consideration prior to engaging the market in a formal procurement process.
We will therefore be postponing the forthcoming Supplier Day and the procurement process for a Development Partner will not now commence until the future direction of the Project has been aligned to our newly reorganised local government landscape.
This decision is not taken lightly but has been taken in recognition that competing for an opportunity such as our Project requires a significant commitment from Suppliers in terms of both time and cost. Given the uncertainty regarding the reorganised local context, we feel it would be unfair to ask the market to make such a commitment when there remains such a degree of uncertainty as to the establishment of Suffolk's future councils.
Notwithstanding the above, our commitment to the Project remains and therefore we would still welcome the opportunity to sit down on a 1:1 basis with any Suppliers who wish to discuss the Project at this time. If you would like to arrange a discussion of this sort, please contact us at IpswichHeatNetwork@Suffolk.gov.uk by 17th April 2026. The Council will then respond with a proposed time for a meeting.
We would also encourage providers who are interested in this opportunity to register on the new Central Digital Platform, following the guidance at the following web address:
https://shorturl.at/kigP

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035439-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 25 May 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2067 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £301,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planned |
| Lots status | Planned |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | ADDLESHAW GODDARD LLP; AECOM LIMITED; ASTEROS ADVISERS LTD; BIRD & BIRD LLP; HERMETICA BLACK LIMITED |
| Locality | IPSWICH |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode | IP1 2BX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | City of London |
| Electoral ward | Castle Baynard |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | TLH14 Suffolk CC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 45211360 - Urban development construction work
- 45232140 - District-heating mains construction work
- 45232141 - Heating works
- 71314000 - Energy and related services

## Release History

- 20 Apr 2026 at 08:24 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035439-2026
- 13 Apr 2026 at 13:24 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033320-2026
- 31 Mar 2026 at 15:01 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029917-2026
- 31 Mar 2026 at 14:23 - PlanningUpdate - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029848-2026
- 23 Mar 2026 at 11:15 - PlanningUpdate - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026157-2026
- 23 Mar 2026 at 11:07 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026149-2026
- 23 Jan 2026 at 16:53 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006367-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035439-2026
  20th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033320-2026
  13th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029917-2026
  31st March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029848-2026
  31st March 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026157-2026
  23rd March 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026149-2026
  23rd March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006367-2026
  23rd January 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.addleshawgoddard.com/
- http://www.aecom.com
- http://www.asteros.co.uk
- https://hermeticablack.com/
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/suffolksourcing/aspx/ProjectManage/20127
- https://shorturl.at/kigP
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.twobirds.com

## 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-060dc2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060dc2.json.