Scottish Hydro Electric – part of SSE – has issued a formal invitation to tender to 14 un-named businesses and supply chain companies which are competing to provide all or part of a new energy solution for the power distribution network in Shetland.
A new energy solution is needed to meet customer needs in the isles after Lerwick power station comes to the end of its operational life.
As the network is not currently electrically connected to the Great Britain mainland, the island system needs to be capable of meeting local demand at all times, peaking in winter at around 47MW.
Tenders are being invited in four main categories and could include thermal power plants, renewable generators, demand side management systems, electricity storage devices or cable connections.
Bidders now have until October 2016 to respond with detailed proposals, after which the assessment process will take place alongside modelling work to ensure that the elements of the new system will work together successfully.
This is expected to result in a recommendation to the energy regulator OFGEM in early 2017 which will then be the subject of final consultation.
Project Manager Dan Pearson said: “The tender documents set out the key technical and commercial information that bidders need to prepare detailed and costed proposals to provide the energy our customers need.
“We will receive bids in the autumn and the final stage of shaping Shetland’s future energy system can then begin.”
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