Parts of electricity distribution or control apparatus

Tender description

The NeuConnect interconnector will be the first UK to Germany interconnector. It will connect and facilitate power between the UK transmission system at the Isle of grain and the German transmission system near Wilhelmshaven. The interconnector, which is sized at 1400MW (receiving end) to take advantage of proven design and technology, has a cable route of approximately 720 km that routes through UK, Netherlands and German territorial waters before making landfall at either end. It comprises of 2 bundled cables of equal size and capacity intended to operate at opposite polarity in a pure bi-pole configuration. At the UK end the land route is less than 2 km whilst on the German side there is a route of approximately 18 km to the converter site. Whilst there may be a multi-supplier solution for the cable, it is envisaged that there will need to be a single survey, maintenance, emergency response and repair contract for the entire length of the cable for a term of 25 years. Converters: 2 rigid bi-pole converter stations (receiving end capability of 1400MW at the AC connection point) including AC connection works in the UK and Germany. Single maintenance and emergency repair/response contract is envisaged that covers both UK and Germany converters for a term of 25 years, although the initial term covered in this notice is 10 years after the commercial operations date of end of 2023. HVDC Cables — x 2 bundled cables approx. length 720 km (rated voltage 525kV, 1400MW export delivery at AC connection point). It is envisaged that a single survey, maintenance, emergency response and repair contract will be required for the entire cable length for a term of 25 years, although the initial term covered in this notice is 10 years after the envisaged commercial operations date of end of 2023. Given the length of cable required for the project NeuConnect intends to invite initial tenders based on lengths of cable across the UK, Dutch and German territorial waters but will require shortlisted tenderers to provide proposals for all 3 sections and reserves the right to modify the split of cables between sections. Further details will be provided in the procurement documents. Full Turnkey Solution (Wrap): 2 bi-pole converter stations and bundled DC cables approx. length 720 km (525kV) with a receiving end capacity of 1400MW at the AC connection point. It is envisaged that a single survey, maintenance, emergency response and repair contract(s) will be required for the cable that covers the entire cable length and both the UK and Germany converters for a term of 25 years, although the initial term covered in this notice is 10 years up to the end of 2033 after the envisaged commercial operations date of end of 2023.