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Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement

University of Essex · Education

In brief

University of Essex has announced plans to buy architecture and engineering and energy work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The estimated value is £108,330,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 30 years, starting 1 April 2027.

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

Can I win this?

Competition

Usually high: a median of 8 bids per contract for architecture and engineering contracts in this region (from 230 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

The University aims to increase the proportion of renewable electricity at its Colchester campus, reduce spend on utilities and carbon emissions from energy. It wishes to do this through a Design, Build, Fund, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) model and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). There are potential opportunities to deliver these aims via a number of different routes, including; 1. Renewable electricity generated via a large-scale PV Solar Farm (potentially to include BESS and wind). 2. Low carbon heat supplied through a heat network and energy centre. 3. Renewable electricity generated via on campus PV Solar installed on building roofs. 4. Renewable electricity generated via PV Solar Car Ports on University car parks. Prior to going to tender, through this Premarket Engagement exercise, the University wishes to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges, optimal PPA structures, pricing mechanisms, contract approaches, durations to balance affordability, risk, and flexibility. It welcomes commentary on the key risks, constraints, and enablers associated with delivering the proposed projects. d3251ca6-2deb-4d4e-abd7-1a4821c845b9

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.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 045224-2026

About the buyer

  1. PA2 - Archaeological Management Plan & HE1 Works Specification, Wallingford Scheduled Monuments

    Wallingford Town CouncilNorth East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestArchitecture and engineering, Leisure, culture and events

    Closing soon2 days leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £40kestimated
  2. 2026 WS3272684733 Energy Invoice Validation and Data Bureau Services

    Anglian Water Services LimitedEast of EnglandArchitecture and engineering, Energy and utilities

    Closing soon3 days leftExpress interest

    £1.7mestimated
  3. Water Cycle Study Stage 1 and 2

    East Suffolk CouncilEast of EnglandArchitecture and engineering, Environmental services

    Closing soon5 days leftSmall contract

    Value not stated
  4. Technical Implementation Partner & Business Change Partner (DASP)

    NHS Blood and TransplantNorth East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East, South WestIT services and software, Management consultancy

    Closing soon6 days leftLow competition2 lotsSuitable for SMEs

    £9.17mestimated
  5. Kier Infrastructure - UXO Site Surveys

    Kier InfrastructureEast of England, South EastArchitecture and engineering, Laboratory and scientific equipment

    OpenNew9 days leftSuitable for SMEs

    £150kestimated

From notice 045224-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 18 May 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.