Solar PV Farm at Nethermains, Kilwinning

Description

North Ayrshire Council (“NAC”) are looking to notify the market of a potential future contract opportunity to design and build a large array of solar PV panels mounted on metal frames installed across the former landfill site at Nethermains (Nethermains Former Landfill Site, North of Irvine between A78, A737, B779 and Ravenspark Golf Course). NAC want to establish if contractors have the capability to: 1. Design 2. Build 3. Design and Build BRIEF DESCRIPTION: A number of inverter units will be required, to convert the power from DC to AC, which would be installed in small cabinets among the panel array. It is anticipated that a connection building will need to be installed adjacent to the site to accommodate electrical switchgear and metering. The connection to the grid will probably take the form of a buried cable to the Scottish Power distribution network at Ravenspark Substation (to the west of Irvine Royal Academy), approximately 0.9km to the south of the site. Engagement with SPEN is ongoing, however we would seek support from the contractor to develop further. The project size would be approximately 7.48MWp. It is assumed the panels would be installed on the flatter, higher ground of the site. The contractor would be required to carry out as assessment of the number of panels required and the optimum angle of incline, with consideration given to panel to panel shading, to provide an annual yield of 7,681,000kWh. It is assumed that the panels may need to be mounted on ballast foundations, rather than using mini-piles that would penetrate the surface, however this would be evaluated during a site survey. NAC hope to appoint a contractor during Summer 2021 and complete the works by March 2022. Anyone interested in this opportunity should fully complete the questionnaire uploaded to the portal and return to Claire Hindmarsh at clairehindmarsh@north-ayrshire.gov.uk by 12 noon on 26th March 2021. It is anticipated that this will be advertised in May 2021 on the Public Contracts Scotland advertising portal. The procurement exercise will be carried out via the PCS-Tender e-tendering system.