Hydrogen for Heating Technical Support Contract

This notice is to inform suppliers that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is planning to issue an invitation to tender for the procurement of technical support in relation to its work on hydrogen for heating. BEIS intends to tender this work through the Heat Networks and Electricity Generation Assets (HELGA) dynamic purchasing system and therefore encourages interested suppliers to register.

BEIS anticipate hosting a supplier engagement event to discuss the types of skills and expertise we are looking for and to hold individual sessions with interested parties to understand the market offer.

When: 10:00 - 14:00 on Friday 8th November 2019

Where: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET

To sign up to the event, please email [email protected] by 17:00 Monday 4th November 2019.

Background Context:

The use of natural gas provides both a major share of the UK's energy supplies and a large proportion of UK carbon dioxide emissions. For the UK to meet its legal obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, it will be necessary to virtually eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from buildings. This will require a wholesale transition away from burning natural gas.

A range of technologies could have the potential to contribute on a large scale to the transition to low carbon heating in buildings and industry, and offer consumers good cost-effective heating options in the future. One potential option might be the use of pure or near pure hydrogen in the gas system, instead of natural gas, taking advantage of the UK's extensive gas distribution network. This option may offer benefits compared to other approaches, including potentially avoiding or reducing some of the infrastructure challenges and barriers to consumer take up which alternatives based on electric heating might involve but more evidence is needed.

However, further work is required in order to fully test, assess and develop the potential of hydrogen as an option for decarbonising heat and in particular to demonstrate its safety and feasibility. BEIS is working closely with industry to ensure that the range of relevant projects is sufficiently comprehensive and effectively planned and coordinated.

Additional information: This project will be procured through the Heat Networks and Electricity Generation Assets (HELGA) dynamic purchasing system which is run by the Crown Commercial Services. Full details of this project will be shared with appointed HELGA suppliers when the competition launches. To be eligible to bid into this project, you will have to be an appointed supplier on HELGA by 22 November 19 If you are interested in this project, we encourage you to sign up to HELGA as soon as possible as it can take up to 15 working days for the CCS to process your application. How to sign into HELGA The first step is to register as a supplier at: http://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ You must then fill in two sets of questionnaires: a general supplier set-up questionnaire and one specific to HELGA. After this, the Crown Commercial Service will assess your application and register you as a supplier. This may take up to 15 working days. Your application to join HELGA will not be assessed until you complete both questionnaires. For further information you can visit the following websites where you can download a bid pack: http://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps#utilitiesandfuels http://ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/contracts/rm3824

How to apply Please apply directly to the buyer using the contact details provided, or follow the instructions given in the additional information section (above).