Marine services

Tender description

EirGrid and RTE have completed the Feasibility Phase of the Celtic Interconnector project and have recently entered into the Initial Design and Pre-Consultation Phase of the project. There is now a requirement for a marine consultant to provide technical expertise for the development of the offshore elements of the project, in particular the planned marine surveys and marine engineering studies. The marine consultant expertise should cover following fields: — Marine engineering studies for cable installation. Developed knowledge of the related technical, environmental and legal constraints, plus the associated detailed studies. — Submarine power cable installation (laying and protection). Experience of installation works methods and equipment. — International offshore power cable project management. EirGrid is the Transmission System Operator (TSO) and Market Operator (MO) in the wholesale trading system in Ireland, and is the owner of the System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI Ltd), the licensed TSO and market operator in Northern Ireland. RTE is the French TSO; it owns, operates and develops the French Electricity Transmission System with the primary objectives of balancing electricity generation with consumption, guaranteeing the secure operation of the power system. EirGrid and RTE have recently completed the Feasibility Phase of the Celtic Interconnector project and have recently entered into the Initial Design and Pre-Consultation Phase of the project. The marine surveys carried out in the Feasibility Phase confirmed that a feasible route existed between Ireland and France, albeit with several areas of challenging geology. Based on an in depth analysis of the findings of the marine survey in conjunction with that of recently available third party data that has become available, the project team have identified several opportunities to carry out route development to further refine the route and potentially avoid some of the areas of challenging geology. There is now a requirement to procure a marine consultant to provide technical expertise for the development of the offshore elements of the project, in particular the planned marine surveys and marine engineering studies. The marine consultant expertise should cover following fields: — Marine engineering studies for cable installation. Developed knowledge of the related technical, environmental and legal constraints, plus the associated detailed studies. — Submarine power cable installation (laying and protection). Experience of installation works methods and equipment. — International offshore power cable project management. Communication and reporting to clients. Contractor coordination in a multicultural environment. Schedule, risks and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) issues management. Counselling services and contracting strategy.