TfL Solar Private Wire Delivery Partner

Tender description

This procurement was undertaken by Transport for London (TfL) on behalf of London Underground Limited (LUL). The primary objective of TfL's Solar Private Wire project is to enable TfL to directly receive zero-carbon electricity from decentralised sources, reducing the carbon emissions associated with its operations. The project is primarily focused on private wire connections to new-build solar photovoltaic generation. The contracting authority (LUL) has appointed an economic operator (a 'Delivery Partner') with whom it can work collaboratively in order to deliver solar private wire projects within reasonable proximity to the London Underground network. Opportunities may also extend to connections into the broader TfL estate. LUL envisages that PPAs will take the form of newly-built solar assets, and LUL may also consider existing assets on a site-by-site basis. The arrangement takes the form of a single supplier framework agreement, allowing for individual projects to be subsequently 'called-off' (i.e. negotiated and contracted for via a private/direct wire Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)). The framework agreement will be for a duration of four (4) years, with an option to extend for up to a further four (4) years; the option to execute any extension, and the increments by which this is exercised, will be at LUL's sole discretion. The contracting authority (and the party to the framework agreement) will be LUL. In addition to LUL, other members of the TfL Group may call-off from the framework agreement. In this case the relevant TfL entity will be the contracting entity who will be party to the PPA. Where LUL is mentioned in this contract notice, it may also incorporate other members of the TfL Group in its meaning. The number of PPAs that may be entered into is not fixed or limited and the anticipated length of any PPA under the framework is approximately 25 years (subject to the specific nature of site). The activities that LUL envisages the Delivery Partner will undertake include (but are not limited to): (a) preparing, developing and submitting a strategy that outlines potential sites upon which solar farms may be developed (including the identification of suitable sites corresponding to the land classification (i.e. greenfield, brownfield etc.)) and developing project proposals from sites identified; (b) obtaining all relevant approvals, consents and permissions from the relevant authorities and third parties (as applicable) in relation to any site that is to be taken forward as a solar farm; and (c) provided that certain contractual requirements are met, undertaking necessary activities in order to design, construct, operate and maintain the solar farm and related connection assets. Additional associated services that LUL may request from the Delivery Partner include (but are not limited to): (a) battery storage opportunities related to the installed solar arrays; and (b) services and products related to the optimisation of generation and efficiency of the installed solar arrays. Lot 1: The procurement process was carried out under the Competitive Dialogue procedure, consisting of five (5) stages. Full details for the down selection of economic operators (bidders) at the end of each stage were provided in the procurement documents. High-level details are below. Stage 1: Selection Questionnaire ('SQ') - Up to six (6) highest-ranking compliant bidders invited to ISOS; Stage 2: Invitation to Submit Outline Solution ('ISOS') - Up to three (3) highest-ranking compliant bidders invited to Dialogue; Stage 3: Invitation to Participate in Dialogue ('ITPD') - No down selection; Stage 4: Dialogue - No down selection; and Stage 5: Invitation to Submit Final Tender ('ISFT') - Highest-ranking compliant bidder is awarded the framework agreement. Following evaluation of the ISFT stage, the highest-ranking bidder has been awarded the place on the framework agreement. Additional information: REGISTERING ON THE E-TENDERING PORTAL Interested parties were provided with instructions on how to register and communicate with TfL in regard to this exercise, as detailed in the Contract Notice (2024/S 000-035263). ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE (II.1.7 & V.2.4) The estimated value of the framework referred to in sections II.1.7 and V.2.4 has been developed assuming LUL (including members of the TfL Group) purchases renewable energy through solar farms equating to 64MW of capacity through the framework agreement. This value may fluctuate (increase) in accordance with changes in the economics of the energy market.