The ambitious plan to develop the Scapa Deep Water Quay by Orkney Islands Council has taken another step forward.  Spanish firm Acciona and Jones Bros have been awarded the first phase of a design and build contract for the construction of the new deep water quay.

With an initial projected cost of £200million the new deep water quay is intended to be a renewables hub for the massive offshore wind developments in Scotland’s waters.

The cost of phase 1 is estimated at £7.2 million. £5 million in funding is being provided by the Scottish Government through Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Oliver Reid, the Chief Executive of Orkney Islands Council, said:

“The Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) is a critical component of the procurement process for a major construction project. The key outputs of this piece of work will be detailed planning, cost control, and risk management. It means that we can ensure that any project put forward for the consideration of Elected Members is both viable and cost-effective.”

Phase 1 includes developing the design, progressing key statutory consents, and compiling detailed construction costs. These services are expected to be managed through a NEC4 Professional Services Contract.

The development of the deep water quay will involve significant construction work , including land creation, reclamation, bulk earthworks, piling, dredging and ancillary works. The new deep water quay will be developed on agricultural lands approximately 4km south of the existing Scapa Pier and 1.1km west of the A961 public road.

The Scapa Deep Water Quay will be used to assemble the massive wind turbines needed for the offshore renewables projects.

Commenting in February when visiting Orkney, First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said:

“Accelerating Scotland’s offshore wind capabilities is crucial as we prioritise maximising Scotland’s vast potential in renewable energy. Not only are we striving to take our place at the forefront of the global green energy revolution, investments like this help us guarantee a just transition for our existing skilled workforce, maintaining their vital role in Scotland’s energy landscape.

“This landmark project will help attract private investment in the area, creating new highly paid jobs and unlocking enormous economic opportunities for the Orkney Islands and Scotland as a whole. This is another example of how, together with local government and our partners, we are delivering on our collective priorities of growing the economy and protecting the planet.”

Following completion of the ECI pre-construction stage, the contract may, at the sole discretion of the Authority, proceed to an optional Contract Stage 2, which will include the construction stage of the contract under either a design and build contract likely to be under a NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (main Option A) or a “Build-Operate-Transfer” (“BoT”) type structure, pursuant to which the successful tenderer (or possibly a corporate joint venture vehicle formed between the Authority and the successful tenderer) would be granted a long lease of the land and marine assets, enter into a development and operation agreement relating to the project with the Authority, as well as agreement(s) for the provision of finance and the construction contract for construction of the project. Orkney Harbours Masterplan Phase 1 – Scapa Deep Water Quay (SDWQ) BidStats

Fiona Grahame