Ten contractors, including major players and SMEs, have been selected for a £1 billion framework to deliver large-scale energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects across London and the South East, supporting the UK’s net-zero targets.
Ten contractors have secured places on a £1 billion retrofit and decarbonisation framework launched by the South East Consortium (SEC), a procurement body serving public sector organisations and housing providers in London and the South East. The four-year Decarbonisation Partnerships Framework aims to streamline the appointment of contractors to manage and deliver a broad spectrum of carbon reduction works, supporting the UK’s net-zero ambitions.
The framework was procured through an open procedure that attracted 29 bids, including 15 from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is structured as a single lot, with awards made to a blend of national and regional firms to provide clients with a balance of “ease, options and value,” according to the contract notice. The selected contractors include notable players such as Equans Regeneration, Morgan Sindall Property Services, and Wates Property Services, alongside smaller firms like Amber Construction Services, A&E Elkins, Cardo (South), Eco Approach, Fortem Solutions, Bell Group, and UI Social Infrastructure.
The framework covers an extensive range of decarbonisation activities expected to encompass retrofit insulation, heating system upgrades, and supporting services crucial for delivering large-scale energy efficiency initiatives. Contractors will be responsible not only for the physical delivery of energy reduction measures but also for partnering with public sector bodies to manage projects from inception to completion. The selection criteria weighted quality at 70 percent and price at 30 percent, reflecting the emphasis on value alongside performance. The £1 billion estimated value represents the maximum potential spend over the duration of the agreement, excluding VAT.
SEC Procurement Limited operates as a central purchasing body whose membership spans housing associations and local authorities throughout the South East. This framework complements other SEC initiatives, including the Decarbonisation Works Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), which remains open until 2029 and facilitates the appointment of contractors for individual measures as well as whole-house retrofit projects. While the Partnership Framework is structured as a single lot, the DPS features four lots that allow for greater flexibility, addressing both individual energy efficiency upgrades and comprehensive retrofits tailored to housing sector needs.
Amber Construction Services, one of the awarded contractors, highlights that their involvement includes works such as external wall insulation, loft and cavity wall insulation, and the installation of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. This aligns closely with the framework’s objective to accelerate the retrofit and decarbonisation programmes essential for meeting regulatory requirements and sustainability targets.
In addition to this £1 billion framework, the South East Consortium has recently awarded places on a separate £740 million housing upgrade framework, which is divided into four lots based on contract value. This arrangement allows for a diverse spread of contractors from SMEs to major national providers and reflects the growing scale and complexity of retrofit and housing improvement projects in the region.
Together, these frameworks and procurement vehicles underscore the commitment of regional public bodies and housing providers to meeting the UK’s ambitious climate goals by improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions across existing housing stock. By securing a mix of national and regional contractors through a robust procurement process, the South East Consortium is positioning itself as a pivotal player in driving retrofit and decarbonisation efforts in one of the UK’s most populated and energy-intensive regions.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ The narrative is recent, published on 6 October 2025. The South East Consortium’s Decarbonisation Partnerships Framework was launched in February 2025, with a tender deadline of 30 April 2025. ([southeastconsortium.org.uk](https://southeastconsortium.org.uk/were-out-to-tender-for-our-decarbonisation-partnerships-framework/?utm_source=openai)) The framework is expected to go live in September 2025. ([southeastconsortium.org.uk](https://southeastconsortium.org.uk/were-out-to-tender-for-our-decarbonisation-partnerships-framework/?utm_source=openai)) The article’s publication date aligns with the framework’s launch timeline, indicating freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ No direct quotes are present in the narrative, suggesting originality or exclusivity.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ The narrative originates from Construction News, a reputable UK-based publication known for its coverage of the construction industry. The South East Consortium, mentioned in the narrative, is a legitimate organisation serving public sector bodies in London and the South East. ([southeastconsortium.org.uk](https://southeastconsortium.org.uk/were-out-to-tender-for-our-decarbonisation-partnerships-framework/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ The claims in the narrative are plausible and consistent with known information. The South East Consortium’s Decarbonisation Partnerships Framework was indeed launched in February 2025, with a tender deadline of 30 April 2025, and is expected to go live in September 2025. ([southeastconsortium.org.uk](https://southeastconsortium.org.uk/were-out-to-tender-for-our-decarbonisation-partnerships-framework/?utm_source=openai)) The list of awarded contractors includes both national and regional firms, aligning with the framework’s objective to provide clients with a balance of “ease, options and value.” ([southeastconsortium.org.uk](https://southeastconsortium.org.uk/were-out-to-tender-for-our-decarbonisation-partnerships-framework/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
✅ The narrative is recent, with no signs of recycled content. It originates from a reputable source, Construction News, and aligns with known information about the South East Consortium’s Decarbonisation Partnerships Framework. The claims are plausible, and the absence of direct quotes suggests originality.
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