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Open26 days left · closes midday, Wednesday 9 December 2026

Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) Demonstrator Plant

Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd (t/a BEC) · Public undertaking

In brief

Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd (t/a BEC) is looking for suppliers for architecture and engineering work (North West).

The estimated value is £1,600,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 18 months, up to 30 months with extensions, starting 5 January 2027.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at midday, Wednesday 9 December 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by
midday, Wednesday 25 November 2026
Bids by
midday, Wednesday 9 December 2026

How bids are scored

1. Technical solution and performance 30% · 2. Delivery, installation and commissioning 15% · 3. Technical assurance and risk management 10% · 4. Operation, maintenance and through-life support 10% · 5. Project management and governance 5% · 6. Total price 30%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Usually high: a median of 8 bids per contract for architecture and engineering contracts in this region (from 287 awards in the last 12 months).

Tender documents

What the notice says

Energy Coast West Cumbria Limited, trading as BEC, invites tenders for the design, manufacture and supply of a factory-integrated, modular Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) demonstrator plant for the BEST CAES project at Westlakes Science Park, West Cumbria. The requirement comprises an above-ground, transportable system incorporating compression, thermal storage, expansion equipment, compressed-air storage vessels, power electronics and controls, together with specified testing, documentation, training and warranty support. Required performance includes 0.333 MW charging, 1.0 MW discharge and a minimum electrical round-trip efficiency of 80%. The maximum contract budget is £1,600,000 excluding VAT, with operational handover required by 30 June 2028. Long-term paid maintenance and supplementary rapid-response hardware are excluded from this award. The procurement will follow an open procedure and is subject to funding, planning permissions and necessary approvals.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
  4. Send clarification questions before midday, Wednesday 25 November 2026.
  5. Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Wednesday 9 December 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 104461-2026

About the buyer

Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd (t/a BEC)Last 12 months

Procurements

2

Awards

1
All tenders and awards from Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd (t/a BEC)

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From notice 104461-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 4 November 2026. We last checked for changes on 4 November 2026.