Council to host solar industry open day for major energy project
A major renewable energy programme is moving a step closer as Plymouth City Council invites solar business leaders to attend a supplier open day on 22 May.
The open day will take place in the Plymouth Guildhall from 10am and is an opportunity for renewable business to meet the Council’s procurement officers to discuss plans to purchase, fit and maintain solar PV panels for up to 14 Council properties. This follows successful installation to four of its buildings in the last year.
Initial installations made use of the latest micro-inverter technology, web dashboard monitoring software and low maintenance frames.
The project could go on to provide contracts totalling more than £500k and also offers the prospect of additional work with partners across the city.
Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance said: “A month of consultation with potential suppliers will take place. We expect strong interest and encourage businesses that wish to bid to get in touch. We want to work with forward-thinking companies that can help to inform our specifications and have sustainable practices at their heart.”
A prior information notice (PIN) is appearing in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), which publishes contracts from the public sector. An official invitation to tender will be issued later in the year.
Those wishing to attend the Open Day are asked to email procurement@plymouth.gov.uk to register their interest.
Further invitations to tender will follow as Plymouth City Council pushes ahead with a £13 million plan passed by Cabinet in February 2013, to save money and CO2 emissions. Additional tenders include the supply of LED street lighting fittings, their installation and maintenance.
Plymouth has one of the lowest CO2 emissions per capita of any city in the UK; currently ranked 8th (Cities Outlook, 2013). The Local Authority states a medium term aim to become carbon neutral.
