The Midlothian Council in UK has launched a tender for interested companies that will serve as private partners for the delivery of energy projects in the Midlothian region of Scotland.

The project involves the development, design, financing, construction, implementation, operation, and maintenance of decentralized energy projects in Midlothian and surrounding areas (including but not limited to district heating, direct wire electricity, solar PV and electric vehicles) together with associated works, services, and supplies.

The delivery of the projects will involve the development of a joint venture with the Council. The nature of the joint venture and potential funding and financing solutions will be explored during dialogue but is likely to involve the creation of a jointly owned Energy Services Company (ESCO). The duration of the joint venture will also be discussed in dialogue but it is possible that if an ESCO is established that it would not have a pre-determined lifespan. The Council will then enter into a concession agreement with the ESCO for the development and delivery of projects involving Council heat loads or land or generally within Council control. The concession duration will be explored during dialogue but the Council anticipates that this will be 25-40 years.

The deadline for the submission of documents to participate in the tender is on July 10, 2019.