The Biscay Gulf electrical Interconnection consists of the construction of a 2 000 MW link. This link is composed of 2 (two) circuits rated 1 000 MW each for DC operating voltage of 400 kV, comprised of 4 power cables, 4 converter station terminals located close to 400 kV Cubnezais substation (France) and Gatica substation (Spain). The length of the route is estimated to be approx. 375 km long starting in Spanish Pais Vasco region (near Bilbao), with underground cable of about 15 km, a submarine section around 280 km long, and an underground cable on the French side of about 80 km long to an ending point in Nouvelle Aquitaine (Gironde department, near Bordeaux).

The “Biscay Gulf Electrical Interconnection FR-ES” is a joint project developed by INELFE on behalf of Réseau Transport d’Electricité (RTE) and Red Electica de Espagna (REE) respectively the transmission system operators in France and Spain.

The project is supported by the European Union’s Connecting Europe facility (CEF).

2 HDVC power cable plus potentially 1 fibre optic link of a total route length of approximately 375 km between Spanish Pais Vasco region (near Bilbao), with a length of underground cable line in Spain of about 15 km, a submarine section around 280 km (including Capbreton canyon crossing), an underground cable in France of about 80 km long, and Nouvelle Aquitaine (Gironde department, near Bordeaux).

The power cables shall be capable to deliver 1 000 MW at receiving end.

The scope includes the design (including detail design), engineering, procurement, manufacturing, supply, transportation and installation, construction (including landfalls in Spain and in France as well as all off-shore civil works), testing, commissioning, spares provision, operational handover, warranty and maintenance of the cables. Terrestrial civil works for underground cables are excluded.

Lengths given are approximate and may be varied to allow for optimal production and installation cable lengths.

Both MIND and XLPE technologies are to be considered — if available.

The combination of the technologies is authorized if transition is situated on-shore near landfall.

For 400 kV XLPE technology, the bidders must note that the land and submarine cable systems (including the following accessories: factory joints, field joints, repair joints and terminations) must have successfully passed type tests and prequalification tests in accordance with CIGRE TB 496.

For information purpose — the satisfactory test certificates must be provided at the latest with the submission of the last technical offer currently foreseen on or before 3.6.2020 (this requirement will be detailed in the ITT).

For 400 kV MIND technology, the bidders must note that the land and submarine cable systems (including the following accessories: factory joints, field joints, repair joints and terminations) must have successfully passed type tests in accordance with CIGRE TB 189 for land cable system and TB 189 and TB 171 for submarine cable system.

Transition joint between 2 different manufacturers are not allowed on the submarine part on the circuit.

Provision of maintenance service alongside the obligation to rectify defects for a mandatory initial period after take over to align with the warranty period under the EPCI contract and manufacture, supply and delivery of replenishment spares for spares used during such period and may further include provision for delivery of spares for an extended period (beyond the warranty period) — all as further detailed in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents.

Option to provide for an extended maintenance service and/or provision of further spares beyond the warranty period/original period stated in the contract at the sole discretion of INELFE.

Further detail of the scope of the contract for this lot may be provided notably in the ITT documents.

See Section VI.3) for more details about the procurement process.

The contracting entity will be INELFE in its name and on behalf of REE and RTE as a central purchasing body.

2 HDVC power cable plus potentially 1 fibre optic link of a total route length of approximately 375 km between Spanish Pais Vasco region (near Bilbao), with a length of underground cable line in Spain of about 15 km, a submarine section around 280 km (including Capbreton canyon crossing), an underground cable in France of about 80 km long, and Nouvelle Aquitaine (Gironde department, near Bordeaux).

The power cables shall be capable to deliver 1 000 MW at receiving end.

The scope includes the design (including detail design), engineering, procurement, manufacturing, supply, transportation and installation, construction (including landfalls in Spain and in France as well as all off-shore civil works), testing, commissioning, spares provision, operational handover, warranty and maintenance of the cables. Terrestrial civil works for underground cables are excluded.

Lengths given are approximate and may be varied to allow for optimal production and installation cable lengths.

Both MIND and XLPE technologies are to be considered - if available.

The combination of the technologies is authorized if transition is situated on-shore near landfall.

For 400 kV XLPE technology, the bidders must note that the land and submarine cable systems (including the following accessories: factory joints, field joints, repair joints and terminations) must have successfully passed type tests and prequalification tests in accordance with CIGRE TB 496.

For information purpose — the satisfactory test certificates must be provided at the latest with the submission of the last technical offer currently foreseen on or before 3.6.2020 (this requirement will be detailed in the ITT).

For 400 kV MIND technology, the bidders must note that the land and submarine cable systems (including the following accessories: factory joints, field joints, repair joints and terminations) must have successfully passed type tests in accordance with CIGRE TB 189 for land cable system and TB 189 and TB 171 for submarine cable system.

Transition joint between 2 different manufacturers are not allowed on the submarine part on the circuit.

Provision of maintenance service alongside the obligation to rectify defects for a mandatory initial period after take over to align with the warranty period under the EPCI contract and manufacture, supply and delivery of replenishment spares for spares used during such period and may further include provision for delivery of spares for an extended period (beyond the warranty period) — all as further detailed in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents.

Option to provide for an extended maintenance service and/or provision of further spares beyond the warranty period/original period stated in the contract at the sole discretion of INELFE.

Further detail of the scope of the contract for this lot may be provided notably in the ITT documents.

See Section VI.3 for more details about the procurement process.

The contracting entity will be INELFE in its name and on behalf of REE and RTE as a central purchasing body.