Published date: 28 September 2023

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 25 August 2023, 2pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

SW1P 3JR

Value of contract

£50,000

Procurement reference

CF-0139300D8d000003VQwdEAG

Published date

28 September 2023

Closing date

25 August 2023

Closing time

2pm

Contract start date

5 October 2023

Contract end date

15 March 2024

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Single tender action (below threshold)

A direct contract with a single supplier, without competition.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Defra's ambition is for the UK to be a world leader in the food and farming industry and to provide a cleaner, healthier environment which benefits people and the economy. Therefore, a key Defra priority is to increase the productivity and sustainability of the agri-food sector, balancing environmental and climate targets whilst preserving food production.

Agrivoltaics (AV) is the deployment of solar photovoltaic power panels on agricultural land for the generation of renewable energy. It presents farmers/landowners with an opportunity to diversify income streams on their land whilst contributing to the UKs drive to net zero emissions by 2050.

The range of options that are available for the deployment of agrivoltaic systems means that they could become an increasingly attractive prospect for farmers. It is a technology that can tailored for different land types and systems, and in some cases work concurrently with existing farming systems, such as panels providing shade for grazing livestock.

Data from the Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD) estimates that the total area of agrivoltaic sites in England (including those in planning phase) could be up to 48kha. As a proportion of England's total agricultural area, this represents just 0.5% of land, demonstrating the opportunity for this technology to be scaled up. As such Defra seeks to better understand how such installations can be implemented in ways that complement food production, and improve the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of farm businesses.

The Welsh Government strongly supports the principle of developing renewable and low carbon energy to meet future energy needs and in doing so, developments should deliver positive social, environmental, cultural and economic benefits. This includes ensuring Wales has a sustainable and resilient agriculture sector for future generations to continue to produce high quality food and maintain high production standards.

More information

Attachments

Award information

Awarded date

26 September 2023

Contract start date

5 October 2023

Contract end date

15 March 2024

Total value of contract

£50,000

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

IfM Engage Ltd

Address

Institute for Manufacturing
17 Charles Babbage Road
Cambridge CB3 0FS

Reference

None

About the buyer

Contact name

Defra

Address

17 Smith Square
A five capitals approach to defining the carrying capacity of English seas (MMO)
SW1P 3JR
UK

Telephone

44 3459335577

Email

DGCEnquiries@defra.gov.uk