--- title: "GCRE Energy & Data Centre Opportunity - Updated 2026" ocid: "ocds-kuma6s-160195" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-kuma6s-160195" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-160195.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-160195.json" source: "Sell2Wales" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "GCRE LTD" published: "2026-01-13" --- # GCRE Energy & Data Centre Opportunity - Updated 2026 Buyer: GCRE LTD Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-kuma6s-160195 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-kuma6s-160195) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-160195.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Sell2Wales | | Latest notice | https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=160195 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 13 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Not specified | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | GCRE LTD | | Locality | NEATH PORT TALBOT | | Post town | Swansea | | Postcode | SA10 9HN | | Country | Wales | | ITL 1 | TLL Wales | | ITL 2 | TLL4 Mid and South West Wales | | ITL 3 | TLL44 Neath Port Talbot | | Local authority | Neath Port Talbot | | Electoral ward | Crynant, Onllwyn and Seven Sisters | | Westminster constituency | Neath and Swansea East | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy - 45 - Construction work - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### 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 ## Release History - 13 Jan 2026 at 10:20 - Planning - S2W Notice - Website Prior Information Notice - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=160195 ## Notice URLs - https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtmlThe - https://www.gcre.wales - https://www.gcre.wales/ - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=160195 ## 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-kuma6s-160195. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-160195.json.