Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay launches tender process for three O&M packages

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc have launched a tendere process for three main operations and maintenance (O&M) contract packages to support the £1 billion (US$1.4 billion) 320 MW tidal lagoon project in Swansea Bay, Wales.

The project will be the world’s first tidal lagoon. The turbines in the proposed six-mile horseshoe shaped sea wall around Swansea Bay in Wales could potentially generate over 500 GWh of electricity per year for an estimated 120 years.

Having previously named General Electric and Andritz Hydro as preferred bidders to manage the operations and maintenance of the lagoon’s turbines and power generation facilities, Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc now seeks Tier 1 contractors to take on the day-to-day running of the lagoon facilities outside of the main power generation plant.

The three contract packages being tendered are:

• Lagoon Maintenance: including maintenance of the lagoon wall, turbine housing structure and mariculture park, as well as maintenance dredging
• Public Realm Infrastructure Maintenance: including maintenance of the visitor buildings; boating centre and research laboratory; roads, car parks, landscaping and lighting; potable, foul and surface water system; 11kV supplies; IT & telecoms infrastructure
• General Facilities Management Services: facilities management for day-to-day operational activities such as public access control, security, transport, cleaning and waste disposal

The contracts are together valued at about £4 million (US$5.6 million) per annum. Successful contractors will be selected via a competitive two-stage pre-qualification and formal invitation to tender process which begins this summer.

Gerwyn Tumelty, Operations & Maintenance Manager for Tidal Lagoon Power:

"The creation of these packages brings a clear focus to the non-power generating assets which are needed to safely operate the world’s first tidal lagoon power plant and make the most of its potential for multi-functional use.”

“The tendering process will ensure the right levels of competition, innovation and skill is sourced from the supply chain and will maximise local jobs for the future. This is just the beginning of a home-grown industry that expert analysis suggests has the potential to contribute £3.1bn to UK GDP in each year of asset operation.”

Roger Evans MBE, Chair of the Tidal Lagoon Industry Advisory Group:

“The creation of these O&M packages provides yet another opportunity for local and national companies to register their interest in being a part of a major £1billion investment in Wales. It builds on the clear intentions already given by the project’s major delivery partners to maximise opportunities for a British workforce, partners and supply chain in the construction of the lagoon.”

Julie Williamson, Chairman of the Federation of Small Business in Swansea Bay:

“We have worked closely with the developer from the outset to understand opportunities for local businesses. The announcement of the tier one contractors, CHEC, GE and Andritz, Laing O’Rourke and local civil engineers Alun Griffiths, now creates the platform for local businesses to take their role in the supply chain, creating jobs and developing expertise in this exciting new industry. This project represents a fantastic opportunity for our members and the broader business community in Swansea and Wales. It is incredibly exciting to see it all now coming to fruition.”