HS2 Ltd has published its shortlist of companies that are in the running for supplying the high-speed railway’s high-voltage power supply systems.
The successful bidder will provide the electrical systems for 280km of the new railway line. Specifically, the contract includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance of the high-voltage systems between London, Birmingham and Crewe (i.e. Phase 1 and Phase 2a), where HS2 trains will join the West Coast Main Line.
Shortlist
The following companies have made it on to HS2 Ltd’s shortlist:
- Colas / Eiffage JV
- Siemens Ltd / Costain Ltd JV
- SSE Enterprise Contracting / Linxon / Arcadis JV
- UK Power Networks Services (Contracting) Ltd
The contract is worth approximately 523 million GBP.
HS2 Phase 1 and 2a will require around 50 traction sub-stations in order to deliver electricity from the National Grid to the trains. As part of the contract, there will also be a dedicated non-traction high-voltage power network. This will supply power to the associated infrastructure, such as stations, shafts, portals, depots and railway systems along the line.
Once in service, HS2 trains will emit just 8g of carbon per passenger kilometre, compared to 67g for cars and 170g for planes. HS2 will continuously reduce its carbon footprint as the electricity produced for the National Grid becomes greener.
“The shortlist for high voltage power supply systems is another major milestone as we put in place the key rail systems teams that will take over once the civil engineering stage is finished.
“Once complete, HS2 will be one of the lowest carbon ways to travel, freeing up more capacity on the existing rail network and helping to take cars and lorries off the roads. Our power supply systems are a crucial part of the project and part of a solution which will help the UK reach net zero by 2050.”
The procurement for the high-voltage power systems will be completed in a single stage but it will cover two separate contracts, one for Phase 1 and one for Phase 2a.
HS2 Ltd expects to award contracts in 2022.
