Xlinks: Prior Information Notice - RFI - Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project HVDC Converters

UK-Billericay: Power converters.


Preliminary Questions
   This notice is for prior information only: Yes
   This notice aims at reducing time-limits for receipt of tenders: No
   This notice is a call for competition: No
         
Section I: Contracting Authority

I.1) Name and addresses:
       Xlinks First Limited
       Kingfisher House, Woodbrook Crescent, Billericay, CM120EQ, United Kingdom
       Tel. +44 7938732989, Email: eugene.cesnulaitis@xlinks.co
       Contact: Eugene Cesnulaitis
       Main Address: https://xlinks.co/morocco-uk-power-project/, Address of the buyer profile: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/BT7SG7QU2Y
       NUTS Code: UK
      Specifications and additional documents: As Above
I.2) Joint procurement:
   The contract involves joint procurement: No.
   The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body: No .

I.3) Communication          
   Further information can be obtained from: the above mentioned address

I.4) Type of the contracting authority    
   Other type:: Energy Provider
I.5) Main activity:    
   Other activity: Electricity Generation and High Voltage Electricity Infrastructure and Transmission

Section II: Object
      
II.1) Scope of the procurement - 1
   II.1.1) Title: Prior Information Notice - RFI - Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project HVDC Converters    
          Reference number:
   II.1.2) Common Procurement Vocabulary:       
      31121110 - Power converters.
   II.1.3) Type of contract: SUPPLIES
   II.1.4) Short description:    
      The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project is being developed by Xlinks First as the principal developer. The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project is a multi-technology renewable energy project of circa 11 GW generated in Morocco with a combination of solar, wind and in-land power transmission, coupled with energy storage. The electricity produced by the Moroccan generation facilities will be transported exclusively to Great Britain through dedicated 4,000 km HVDC onshore and offshore transmission infrastructure delivering 3.6GW, which will serve up to 8% of Great Britain’s electricity needs. The HVDC system is comprised of two separate bi-poles, providing two separate connections in the UK. The Project comprises four key elements: Generation: covering all the generation assets (wind, solar, BESS) with their related civil and electrical works up to the HVDC converters in Morocco. HVDC Converter Stations: in Morocco and the UK. HVDC Onshore Transmission: covering onshore transmission in Morocco (underground cables and overhead line) and in the UK (underground cable) HVDC Offshore Transmission: submarine HVDC cable between the Moroccan and UK landing points Xlinks First is in the process of finalising the contracting strategy for the Project. This Prior Information Notice relates to the HVDC converter stations. Potential suppliers are being invited to respond to a Request for Information, including an expression of interest for some or all of the Scope of Works for the HVDC Converter Stations. These companies are requested to register in Delta eSourcing (via the link provided above) to access further information. The HVDC system comprises two electrically separated bipoles, each with a 1.8GW connection to the UK grid. The entire Converter Station Scope of Works will encompass: For Bipole 1: 2 Converter stations. 1 x circa 2200MW in Morocco and 1 x 1800MW in UK and all works associated with the HVDC Converter Stations for one bipole, including foundation and structural works; HVAC cable in UK for one bipole and Grid Connection in UK for one bipole; HVAC cable in Morocco for one bipole. For Bipole 2: 2 Converter stations. 1 x circa 2200MW in Morocco and 1 x 1800MW in UK and all works associated with the HVDC Converter Stations for one bipole, including foundation and structural works; HVAC cable in UK for one bipole and Grid Connection in UK for one bipole; HVAC cable in Morocco for one bipole. Please note that a similar RFI is underway for the HVDC transmission infrastructure scope of works for the Project (including onshore and offshore HVDC cables, onshore overhead line and associated works). Once Xlinks First has received responses from participants, Xlinks First may initiate further discussions with potential suppliers before finalising its procurement strategy. Once the procurement strategy is confirmed, Xlinks First will proceed to launch the procurement events.          
   II.1.5) Estimated total value: Not Provided
   II.1.6) Information about lots:
      This contract is divided into lots: No          
      Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: Not Provided       
      The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots: Not Provided

II.2) Lot Description          
   II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s):       
      31121110 - Power converters.          
      31200000 - Electricity distribution and control apparatus.          
      45231400 - Construction work for electricity power lines.          
      50711000 - Repair and maintenance services of electrical building installations.          
      45317200 - Electrical installation work of transformers.          
      45315400 - High voltage installation work.       
   II.2.3) Place of performance:       
      Region Codes:               
         MA - Morocco          
         UK - UNITED KINGDOM    
   II.2.4) Description of the procurement:       
      Xlinks First is issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) to invite potential suppliers for some or all of the HVDC Converter Stations Scope of Work to respond to a Request for Information (RFI) to: - Understand market Capacity to deliver the service and gather market intelligence - Collect expressions of interest for the Scope of Work for the HVDC Converters. Xlinks First is utilising an electronic tendering portal (Delta) to manage this RFI and as such interested individuals and organisations will need to register on the portal to access the RFI documentation and return the completed RFI response document.  Respondents wishing to participate are requested to register in Delta eSourcing (via the link https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/BT7SG7QU2Y) to access further information and access RFI documents. The RFI documentation will be accessible from 17:00 on 27 September 2023 and completed RFI responses must be submitted by 16:00 on 18 October 2023.  It is important to note that this PIN/RFI is not a call for competition and does not qualify or register participants for any future tender opportunity.    
   II.2.14) Additional information          
      Xlinks First does not consider itself a utility for the purposes of the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 and/or any replacement or other national legislation. Publication of this PIN does not commit Xlinks First to publishing any further procurement activities in relation to the Project.    


II.3) Estimated Date of publication
         15/11/2023
      
      
Section IV: Procedure   

IV.1) Description       
   IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA )
         The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) - NO

Section VI: Complementary Information    
VI.3) Additional Information:       
   To view this notice, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=811078036
GO-2023927-PRO-24060658 TKR-2023927-PRO-24060657        

VI.5) Date Of Dispatch Of This Notice: 27/09/2023