Council invites local solar suppliers to bid for decarbonisation works

The PV installation is just one measure the District Council is putting in place as it looks to achieve a net-zero carbon target across all its assets and operations by 2030, following its Climate Emergency Declaration at the end of 2018.    

In addition to the installation of the PV panels, the Council is seeking to procure battery storage systems which will allow any excess electricity generated by the panels to be stored for future use, ensuring the benefits of generating clean energy are retained rather than fed to the grid. 

With the opportunity to invest in the local economy and the desire to minimise the overall carbon footprint of the works to be undertaken both key considerations, the Council is keen to look to the local market and receive bids from suppliers in the Gloucestershire and South West region. 

Councillor Paul Hiett, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Change at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “The Council has already made excellent progress in decarbonising some of its estate, particularly the main Council offices in Coleford which have already benefitted from the installation of solar PV, a battery system, an upgrade to the cavity wall insulation, motion sensitive lighting and the replacement of the old gas-fired hot water system with point-of-use electric water heaters in kitchen and toilet areas.  

“We are now in a position to push ahead with works to move other Council-owned buildings away from power derived from fossil-fuels and we are seeking bids from renewable energy suppliers to work with us on this next stage in making our operations more sustainable.”

Upon receipt of detailed costs, clarification on the payback period on any investment and the potential for future income generation, a business case will be taken to the District Council’s Full Council to allocate the capital needed. If approved, the Council hopes the works could start in late autumn.

Companies interested in tendering for all or part of the current proposed schedule of works, or interested in receiving notifications of future opportunities, need to register on the Council’s procurement portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/publicagroup/aspx/Home

The closing date for submissions is 11 April 2023. Details of the tender can be found on the Government Contracts Finder database (ref: IT-357-479-CDC0479P): https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/399d2e14-7b91-4a5a-b165-f9b62b711264