A joint venture between Costain and transport solutions Siemens Mobility has been awarded a £300 million long-term contract to deliver high voltage (HV) power supply systems for the entire 225 kilometre route of HS2.
The Joint Venture will be responsible for designing, manufacturing, supplying, installing, testing, commissioning and maintaining HV power supply systems between London and Birmingham.
The joint venture will form part of the Rail Systems Alliance structure and work collaboratively with industry partners to deliver this railway.
Following completion of the design and build contract there will be a separate seven-year maintenance contract, valued at £32 million, with optional contract extensions.
This adds to Costain HS2 portfolio including the recent £400 million contract to deliver tunnel and lineside mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems for HS2.
Joint venture, Skanska Costain STRABAG (SCS JV), is also currently close to completing the earthworks for tunnels and embankments it is building for HS2 between London and the new Curzon Street Station in Birmingham.
Siemens Mobility and Costain plans to bring a range of skills and capabilities including project management, digital coordination, systems integration, equipment manufacturing and supply chain collaboration.
Traction and non-traction substations will be built alongside the line, providing power to stations, shafts, portals, depots and railway systems between London and Birmingham.
Both companies will draw on extensive mega-project experience, including the Elizabeth line, the East Coast Main Line Power Supply Upgrade, and many more.
With high voltage power coming from the national grid, HS2 trains will be powered by zero carbon energy from day one of operation.
Alex Vaughan, Costain CEO, said: “This new contract continues our long-standing involvement with the UK’s largest strategic investment programme and reflects our excellent collaborative relationship with HS2. It also marks the start of a new partnership with Siemens Mobility and its team of experts who share our values and ambitions.
“Providing a safe, reliable power system will be critical to the success of a new transport route which will be one of the lowest carbon ways to travel in the UK, freeing up more capacity on the existing rail network and helping to take cars and lorries off the roads.
“Rail electrification remains a crucial part of the UK’s decarbonisation plans and HS2’s power supply will set new standards for the infrastructure industry.”
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