Alliander, which develops and operates electricity networks, has started its largest tendering process to date, worth up to €1.5 billion ($1.6 million), to expand and strengthen the grid in the Dutch provinces of Gelderland (excluding the Veluwe) and Noord-Holland Noord.
In the coming years, network operator Liander, a subsidiary of Alliander, will have to lay and replace 4,500km of new cables in these regions, and install around 1,600 transformer stations to ensure the grid – which to date has been experiencing bottlenecks – can be stable as more renewables come online.
In order to meet these requirements, Liander will outsource the work to a maximum of six contractors for a minimum contract term of six years. The contractors can register from now and the final ones chosen will be announced in June 2023.
In the tender, Liander asks contractors to help with the design and realisation of medium-voltage cables and the installation of new transformer houses. This also takes into account the living environment of residents, animals and vegetation. The activities of the contractors include earthworks (digging trenches) and laying and connecting electricity cables.
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One tender, two programmes
The activities in both regions are, according to Alliander, virtually identical. That is why they have been combined in one European tender. Because there are regional differences in the structure of the network, Liander will split the tender into two programmes after the final award.
The NuGelre programme focuses on Gelderland (excluding the Veluwe). The HELIX NHN programme focuses on Noord-Holland Noord: the part of the province that is located above the North Sea Canal, with the exception of Texel.
Both programmes are divided into three sub-areas (or lots) where the work will take place.
The work will start in September 2023 in the various sub-regions. The intention is to complete as much of the work as possible within the period 2023 – 2029.
