Tender: Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan – Consultancy to Produce Regional Energy Evidence and Investment Case

About

ECW, on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington Borough Councils, is seeking consultancy support to produce a Cheshire and Warrington Outline Energy Plan that will provide an evidence base to support local growth ambitions, develop an investment pipeline, inform future spatial development work, and support engagement in the NESO Regional Energy Strategic Planning (RESP) process. The commission will establish a strong local evidence base of current and future energy demand, deliver light-touch scenario planning for the next 5–10 years, produce early evidence for RESP, DSO and NGET to secure strategic grid reinforcement, and examine the integration of different energy transition vectors while leveraging existing and upcoming infrastructure such as VisNet, gas storage facilities, HyNet and HALEU. The plan will support business cases for major developments affected by grid constraints (for example Mersey Ring) and position the region for national funding streams in 2027–28 including DSO ED3, potential T3 re-openers and NESO RESP; the ITT specifies the information required to assess bidders’ technical approach, stakeholder engagement and relationships management, quality assurance and project management, and value for money.