The Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council in Greater Manchester, England, has published a planned procurement notice to inform the market about its intention to establish a long-term Strategic Energy Partnership to support the decarbonisation of the borough’s energy infrastructure and help deliver its net-zero strategy. The Council is seeking a Strategic Energy Partner (SEP) to collaborate on originating, defining, financing, delivering and operating a broad portfolio of energy and decarbonisation projects across Oldham, leveraging the partner’s expertise and capacity to develop innovative, holistic energy solutions. The cornerstone of this programme will be the Town Centre Heat Network, including the existing St Mary’s scheme, which will act as the foundation for a future regional heat network. The initiative is a key element of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Local Net Zero Accelerator programme, and the Council has secured an £8.87 million (US$11.9 million) Green Heat Network Fund grant to support the town centre heat network’s development, with plans for expansion under the Advanced Zoning Programme (AZP). The partnership is expected to last initially up to 15 years, with options to extend up to 25 years, and the total estimated value, considering potential long-term projects, is between £2.2 billion (US$3 billion) and £3.8 billion (US$5.1 billion) over its lifetime. 

The Oldham Green New Deal Partnership procurement is currently at the UK3 planned stage and does not yet invite final bids, but estimated timelines have been outlined to guide the market. The potential contract period for the Strategic Energy Partnership is planned to begin around 1 October 2027, with an initial duration of up to 15 years and options to extend in increments to a maximum of 25 years — potentially taking the partnership through to 30 September 2052. The deadline for requests to participate in the forthcoming competitive flexible procurement process is currently estimated at 24 February 2026 at 11:59 pm, with submissions managed through the Council’s e-tendering portal. Supporting the Council in the procurement process are three key organisations: Ernst & Young LLP acting as Independent Assurance Provider, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP as Legal Advisors, and Buro Happold Limited serving as Heat Network Consultants.