Decarbonization of Byker District Heat Network - Soft Market Testing

Karbon Homes is seeking to decarbonize the Byker District Heat Network in Newcastle upon Tyne, a Grade II* listed social housing estate covering 80 hectares with over 2,000 connected homes. The network currently operates from the Walker Road Energy Centre with twelve substations and uses gas-fired generation. The project is in the commercialisation phase with grant funding secured. Karbon is conducting soft market testing to inform the commercial and procurement structure for appointing an Energy Services Company (ESCo) to transition the heat generation to a low-carbon solution, primarily using large-scale water-source heat pumps with thermal storage. Karbon welcomes responses from organizations with experience in designing, building, financing, and operating district heat networks, including potential ESCo partners, EPC/DBOM contractors, and specialist sub-contractors. Interested parties should have relevant experience with comparable schemes, capability to work in live occupied heritage-listed environments, and views on appropriate commercial structures and security arrangements. To participate, organizations must register via the e-Sourcing Portal at https://app.panacea-software.com/KarbonHomes/. Technical support is available from support@panacea-software.com or 0207 976 0116. This is a soft market testing exercise only and does not constitute a formal procurement or competition.