Central Bedfordshire Council - Renewable Energy

Description

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to initiate a soft market testing exercise to gain industry's views on a number of considerations related to the development and disposal of three renewable energy projects within the administrative boundary of Central Bedfordshire Council ('the council'). The council aims to bring forward up to 176 MW of battery storage and up to 90 MWp solar PV across three grid connections. We wish to engage with organisations interested in opportunities to lead on the development, delivery and operation of these assets. The council is yet to determine if, when and how it will dispose of these assets. Soft market testing will help us collect information and perspectives from the market in relation to any potential future contract opportunity. Responding to this PIN does not place any compulsion on respondents to enter any subsequent competition or for the council to proceed further. Lot 1: Central Bedfordshire Council is considering how it can best bring forward the development of renewable energy and storage within the area. The council has accepted the grid connection offers and made initial payments. The council has also identified suitable land and undertaken preliminary screening for planning risks. The council is now seeking to determine whether to continue to develop the sites, seek a development partner, or sell the assets at their current stage of development. Interested organisations (including potential developers, financiers and those with experience in the storage and renewable energy sectors) should register their interest via the URL https://in-tendhost.co.uk/centralbedfordshire/aspx/Tenders/Current (search for reference CBC-1622-P-AE). Interested parties can view a copy of our PIN Additional Information documentation via this URL. The PIN Additional Information document includes a questionnaire which interested organisations should return via the portal, including details of any specific proposals, and any views or suggestions they may have on the sector as a whole. Following receipt of completed submissions, the council may also undertake sessions with respondents to discuss their market engagement feedback. Please be aware that at this stage, we will not be formally assessing proposals, and nothing given or provided at this stage will be evaluated as part of any future procurement process. We welcome responses from suppliers and organisations who would be interested in working with us. We also reserve the right not to proceed with any procurement once responses have been submitted.