Construction work

Tender description

The Celtic Electrical Interconnector FR-IR Project is being developed as a 700 MW, 320 kV VSC HVDC link between the French and Irish transmissions systems. This HVDC link is composed of one circuit, comprised of two power cables and two converter stations. The link is approximately 575 km long, of which the offshore element comprises approximately 500 km. The converter stations are currently anticipated to be located close to the 400 kV La Martyre substation (France) and the Knockraha 220 kV substation in Co Cork (Ireland). This notice relates to the EPC contract for the design, manufacture, delivery, installation and commissioning of the VSC converter stations in Ireland and France, inclusive of all civil works and (if necessary) associated maintenance contract/s. A separate contract notice will be published for an EPC Contract relating to the design, manufacture, delivery, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the cable link. This notice relates to the EPC contract for the design, manufacturing, delivery, installation and commissioning of the VSC converter stations in Ireland and France, inclusive of all civil works and (if necessary) associated maintenance contract/s.The project is proposed as a voltage source converter (VSC) Symmetrical Monopole configuration with converter station terminals which are currently anticipated to be located close to 400 kV La Martyre substation, France and the Knockraha 220 kV substation in Co. Cork, Ireland. The specific locations of the converter stations will be confirmed by the contracting entity at a later stage of the competition. The scope of the converter station EPC Contract shall include: — all works associated with the design, manufacturing, delivery, installation and commissioning of the converter stations in Ireland and France, inclusive of all civil works. The design, manufacturing, delivery, installation and pre-commissioning of either; A 220 kV AC GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) ring busbar configuration substation (inclusive of all civil works) for the purposes of facilitating connection to the grid connection point at Knockraha 220 kV AC substation in Ireland; A 220 kV or 400 kV AIS AC tail substation (inclusive of all civil works) for the purposes of facilitating connection to the grid connection point at Knockraha 220 kV AC substation in Ireland. Note that if a 400 kV AIS AC tail substation is required this will also require a 400/220 kV transformer as part of the converter EPC scope. — the possible design, manufacturing, installation and pre-commissioning of a shunt reactor and series reactor in Ireland associated with the 220 kV AC GIS substation; — all testing, and commissioning requirements for the DC link; and — warranty period defects rectification for the DC converter station, and AC substation. Subject to the nature of defects obligations under the converter station EPC contract, it is also anticipated that certain other maintenance services will be managed under a separate contract or contracts, the terms of which will be agreed with the appointed EPC contractor (or another nominated entity) as part of the converter Station EPC contract negotiations. This separate maintenance contract(s) shall, at the option of the contracting entity, be concluded between either: (a) i) the contracting entity on the one part; and (ii) the appointed EPC Contractor (or another nominated entity) on the other part; or (b) (i) EirGrid (or any of its respective group companies) on the one part; and (ii) the appointed EPC Contractor (or another nominated entity) on the other part, in respect of the project assets located in the Irish jurisdiction; and (i) RTE on the one part and; (ii) the appointed EPC contractor (or another nominated entity) on the other part, in respect of the project assets located in the French jurisdiction. It is currently expected that, in respect of the project assets located in France, maintenance contracts will be governed by French law and in respect of the project assets located in Ireland, maintenance contracts will be governed by Irish law. The maintenance contract(s) will provide for a range of maintenance services to be provided by the contractor over a period of years; the maintenance requirements associated with EirGrid’s assets and RTE’s assets may vary.Further details on contract scope are provided in the procurement documents. The contracting entity, CIDAC, is an incorporated joint venture company established in Ireland, to procure the design, construction, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the Celtic Interconnector assets. The CELTIC Interconnector FR-IR project is a joint project developed by CIDAC in its own name but on behalf of its shareholders, Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE) and EirGrid plc, who act as the TSO in France and Ireland respectively. The project is supported by the European Union’s Connecting Europe facility (CEF).