DFID 7105 Montserrat - Geothermal Energy Project

Tender description

Actual CPV code is ‘75211200 Foreign Economic-Aid Related Services’. DFID is commissioning the drilling and subsequent testing of a new (the third) Geothermal Well on the UK Overseas Territory of Montserrat. As a UK Overseas Territory Montserrat have a constitutional relationship with the UK, and their citizens have a right to British citizenship. The UK government is committed under the United Nations charter “to promote to the utmost the well-being of the inhabitants of these territories”. DFID’s priority for Montserrat is to meet the “reasonable assistance needs” of its citizens as cost effectively as possible, while supporting the island to become more self-sufficient. Montserrat's economy is 100% fossil fuel based and this is an unsustainable position from an environmental, climate change and economic perspective. Electricity prices in Montserrat are some of the highest in the world and are significantly influenced by fluctuations in oil prices on the world market. The aim of this Project is the drilling of one geothermal well (MON#3) nominally 2,500 metres in depth with a final completion diameter of 8 ½ inches in the St Georges Hill area on the island of Montserrat. This well will complement 2 previously drilled wells in Montserrat (MON#1 and MON#2) (in the Richmond Hill area) and is part of DFID’s ongoing support to the Government of Montserrat (GoM) in developing a geothermal power plant in the south west of the island. It is hoped that the completed plant together with the 3 drilled wells (one of which will be used for re-injection) will provide between 2-5MW of electricity to Montserrat. Contract award is planned for October 2015, drilling commencing in January 2016, testing and commissioning and handover to be completed by June 2016. There will be a 6 month contingent liability period after the handover of MON#3 for any defects that may occur which will be included in the contract duration. The design and construction of the surface plant will take place concurrently under a separate contract to this arrangement.