HVDC Converter Systems Framework

Description

National Grid is an international Electricity and Gas Network Company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world, based in the United Kingdom with operations in the north-east of the United States of America too. National Grid is looking to establish a multi-year High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter Systems Framework to service its growing HVDC requirements for the UK businesses and project partners. National Grid also has a developing portfolio of HVDC projects in the US, these works will be subject to a separate Procurement exercise. All financial values stated in this notice are estimates only and the final outturn values will depend on the precise works required to be delivered, the means of delivery, the way in which programme and project risks materialise, the actual rates of inflation up to completion of the programme, and other factors. Lot 1: The scope of this Procurement includes c.15 HVDC projects; certain projects, and other identified projects that it is currently anticipated will be of similar size and value and will be identified as infrastructure to enable the connection of 50GW of Offshore Wind by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050. The scope also comprises other as-yet unidentified additional major HVDC projects, the precise location and nature of which is not yet known but will share the same key features as the other projects. National Grid's intention is to procure HVDC converter systems solutions utilising primarily Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology to be confirmed on a project-by-project basis. The scope of the HVDC Converter Framework includes but is not limited to the following areas and shall be defined on a project-specific basis at call off: - Supply and installation of converter systems including design, manufacture, installation, and testing of HVDC converter station technology and equipment. This could include the front-end engineering design services in relation to any or all the aforementioned scope - Turnkey solution including civils and major works - Maintenance services may be included in the call off scope Some of the converter systems scope of works may be disaggregated to supply of a equipment only (to be defined at a project by project basis) for a number of projects. To be able to fulfil the scope for those projects with disaggregated scope, co-operation and collaboration with an civils and major works candidate will be required. Some of the converter systems may be located on offshore platforms for a number of projects. To be able to fulfil the scope for those projects with an offshore platform, co-operation and collaboration with an offshore platform candidate will be required. Co-operation and collaboration with the cable contractor will be required. The HVDC Converter System Framework is intended to be used for the delivery of National Grid's (NG) HVDC Converter Systems portfolio as described above. NG anticipates that the HVDC Converter System Framework will be used for the delivery of the following early projects: 1. Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4) 2. Sealink If awarded, these early projects will form call-off contracts under the HVDC Converter Framework; however, due to the criticality of these projects and the need for them to be realised within the timeframe set by Ofgem's Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment framework, the call off process will be run in parallel with the procurement of the framework agreement itself. Interested parties will, therefore, be asked to express their interest in, and capacity to deliver, these early projects at the PQQ stage of the framework procurement. As more fully described in the RFP, the interested parties that NG determines are capable of delivering the early projects will then be invited to participate in the early project call-off process, alongside the framework RFP. For the avoidance of doubt, given the parallel running of the framework and early project call-off procurements for the reasons explained, interested parties will not have confirmation of their appointment to the framework agreement before they are required to participate (if they are interested) in the call-off procurements for the early projects; however, securing a place on the framework agreement will be a condition for the award of any call-off contract. Being shortlisted for or awarded a call-off contract for the early projects is not though a condition to securing a place on the framework agreement. The HVDC Converter Framework may also be used for the delivery of the following early projects: 1. LionLink 2. Other projects of a similar size and nature Again, for the avoidance of doubt, whilst NG's current expectations regarding the early projects are as set out above, NG reserves its rights to utilise different procurement routes. Please note that National Grid reserves the right to award HVAC works to facilitate the HVDC Converter Systems portfolio through this HVDC Converter Systems Framework at its sole discretion, should the requirements arise.