Grid Connection Support to Welsh Government RED

Bidders were invited to submit Bids to be awarded the Contract for Grid Connection Support to the Welsh Governments RED. The Contract is for the delivery of the Services described in the Specification. For information purposes the potential value of the Contract was estimated to be GBP220,000 to GBP240,000 exc. VAT (GBP264,000.00 to GBP288,000 inc VAT). The successful bidder awarded the contract was TNEI Ltd.

Welsh Government is carrying out feasibility work on several wind farm projects across Wales. The projects are at feasibility stage and support is required to obtain grid connections and generation licences (or licence exemptions) for each project. In addition, wider grid strategy is required, on an ad hoc basis as the portfolio of projects develops. In October 2022, the Welsh Government announced that they will establish a renewable energy developer for Wales, wholly owned by the Welsh Government. A portfolio of projects is currently being developed by the Welsh Government Renewable Energy Developer (RED) programme team and the programme is expected to transition into the new arms-length company by April 2024.

RED are currently developing five onshore wind projects on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, and expect this portfolio to grow over the coming years. All five projects plan to secure grid connection offers by the end of 2023. To support the projects’ development, the Welsh Government’s project team are seeking suitably experienced consultants to support with grid applications, generation licence or licence exemption applications, as well as wider programme-level grid strategy support. The consultant would be working with the RED programme manager and director and the individual RED project managers.