Concession notice
Section I: Contracting
authority/entity
I.1) Name and addresses
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
UK
Telephone: +44 1467530600
E-mail: CPSSprocurement@aberdeencity.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM6
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.highland.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – Torvean Quarry, Inverness
Reference number: HC/CPL/BES/2025
II.1.2) Main CPV code
65400000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Highland Council has identified a site for the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The Highland Council has accepted a grid connection offer and intends to tender for a developer to design, build and operate the facility.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
09300000
65400000
71314000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
Main site or place of performance:
Inverness, Highlands
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Highland Council has identified the former Torvean Quarry (Inverness) for development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which would support distribution network operations via connection to an existing (collocated) overhead 33kV line.
The Highland Council has accepted a grid connection offer provided by the Distribution Network Operator (Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution PLC), for a 9,900 kVA import / 9,900 kW export connection, with an estimated connection date of 31 October 2027 (note that this date is subject to change).
The Highland Council intends to tender (via open competition) for a developer to design, build and operate a BESS at the former Torvean Quarry. It is envisaged that the Highland Council would assign the accepted grid connection offer to the contracted party, and that the contracted party would undertake all required contestable distribution network works, in addition to the BESS build. The Highland Council would receive a standing lease payment for occupation of the site, plus an agreed revenue share, throughout the term of the lease (20 years). An Option to Lease fee would also be payable, from contract award, until the lease period begins.
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months: 240
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
11/09/2025
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=801350.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
See procurement documents
(SC Ref:801350)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=801350
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Inverness Sherriff Court
Inverness
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
01/08/2025