The MaresConnect 750MW HVDC Interconnector System
AI Summary
MaresConnect Limited is procuring engineering‑procurement‑construction (EPC) turnkey services for a new 750 MW, 320 kV high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector that will link the Irish mainland to the United Kingdom. The interconnector will be installed along a 240‑kilometre subsea and underground cable corridor beginning at new HVDC converter stations in Denbighshire, Wales, and North County Dublin, Ireland, and will enhance security of supply, market integration, and renewable energy utilisation between the two grids. The project will use VSC technology in a symmetrical monopole configuration, with a rated bidirectional power transfer of 750 MW and a DC voltage of ±320 kV.
The procurement is divided into four distinct lots, each to be awarded through a FIDIC Silver Book‑based EPC contract. LOT 1A covers the design and construction of the two HVDC converter stations, while LOT 1B covers the Irish 400 kV AC tail substation; bidders for each are required to submit offers for the other as well. LOT 2A covers the HVDC subsea and underground cable system together with the associated HVAC underground cables in Wales, and LOT 2B covers the HVAC cable system within Ireland; again, bidders must respond to both lots. Each contract may be awarded either as a single comprehensive EPC or divided into multiple awards within the same contractor’s portfolio, potentially including long‑term service agreements and early‑works phases such as front‑end engineering design.
Performance of the works will take place in North County Dublin, Ireland, and the contracts will be governed by the amended 2017 FIDIC Silver Book, supplemented with lot‑specific Particular Conditions. The project will employ VSC technology with a symmetrical monopole configuration, ±320 kV DC voltage, and a bidirectional 750 MW rated power transfer.
Description
Additional information: Lot combinations: bidders for LOT 1A are also required to bid for LOT 1B, and bidders for LOT 1B are also required to bid for LOT 1A. Bidders for LOT 2A are also required to bid for LOT 2B, and bidders for LOT 2B are also required to bid for LOT 2A. The procurement process in respect of each of the Lots may result in a single contract being awarded to the successful contractor in that Lot (i.e. a single EPC contract which encompasses all elements of the project in that Lot). Alternatively, a number of different contracts may be awarded to the (same) successful contractor in the Lot, each covering a specific element(s) of the project. By way of example, in Lots 1A and 1B, the successful EPC contractor may be awarded a specific Long Term Service Agreement. Similarly, in Lots 2A and 2B, the successful EPC contractor may be awarded a specific Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Contract. In all of the Lots, the successful EPC contractor may be awarded a specific early works contract(s), which may for example encompass Front End Engineering Design and/or civil and structural enabling works. MCL is not a regulated utility for the purposes of Irish/UK/EU procurement law, and this procurement is therefore not subject to such rules. MCL intends to voluntarily follow Irish procurement rules in part but fully reserves its right to deviate from those rules. The publication of this notice does not make MCL and/or this procurement subject to any procurement rules. Form of Contract: The contracts to be awarded for all lots will be based on the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects, Second Edition 2017 (the 'Silver Book'). The FIDIC Silver Book will be amended and supplemented by Particular Conditions (specific to each lot), which are included in the procurement documents. Risk Allocation: Tenderers are explicitly advised that, in line with the EPC/Turnkey (FIDIC Silver Book) model, the successful contractor for each lot will assume full responsibility for the design and execution of their respective works. Requests to participate: a 'request to participate' is made by submitting a completed Pre-Qualification Questionnaire by the stated deadline. Variant tenders: Variant tenders may be submitted; however, this is at MCL's sole discretion and will only be permitted where the form and content of such variant tender has been agreed in principle with MCL in advance.
Place of performance: North County Dublin, Ireland
Lot: LOT-0001
Title: LOT 1A: EPC for HVDC Converter Stations
Lot: LOT-0002
Title: LOT 1B: EPC for Irish 400kV AC Tail Substation
Lot: LOT-0003
Title: LOT 2A: EPC for the HVDC Subsea and Underground Cable System, and for the associated HVAC Underground Cable System
Lot: LOT-0004
Title: LOT 2B: EPC for the HVAC underground cable system in Ireland (Dublin)