GNI issues RFQ for strategic gas reserve facility
Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) is establishing a Qualification System for the provision of engineering services for a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve.
The scope of this QS is for the provision of Front-end Engineering Design (FEED), Client Engineer and Engineering Peer Review services for the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve for GNI Ireland and GNI (UK).
GNI is undertaking an exercise to investigate a potential strategic gas emergency reserve in Ireland as required by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
In the RFQ GNI notes there is presently no gas storage solution available which is of a scale capable of meeting Ireland’s gas demand during a peak period, in the event that the largest interconnector (IC2) was to fail.
The utility adds ‘Further, it is not prudent for Ireland to develop a permanent storage solution that is not compatible with the development of renewable hydrogen and inconsistent with our objective to decarbonise our economy to be climate neutral no later than 2050.’
Based on preliminary analysis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, it is anticipated that a floating reserve (FSRU) will best meet the Government’s criteria for the Strategic Gas Reserve.
The optimum solution to deliver this strategic reserve project will be subject to final approval by Government. The project is the delivery of the optimum solution for the strategic reserve. The scope of services may involve the provision of engineering services.
The provision of engineering services is envisaged to have three (3) lots.
Lot 1 Front-end engineering design for the strategic gas reserve facility.
The strategic gas facility is expected to be an FSRU based LNG import terminal, fixed marine jetty with all associated onshore facilities (including control room, gas treatment, metering, odourisation etc.). The FSRU will have a storage capacity of not less than 135,000m3.
In addition to the strategic gas reserve, lot 1 may include design of a high-pressure gas pipeline to connect to the existing gas network, and an above ground grid tie-in installation.
Lot 2 Client Engineer for the project (as outlined above) to oversee FEED, construction contract(s) procurement and construction for the project (up to successful commissioning, completion and operation of the project) – it is anticipated this may cover the first year of operation.
Lot 3 Engineering Peer Review for the project, including peer review of FEED, peer review of contract documentation, peer review of construction contractor’s design deliverables, peer review of commissioning and operation plans. Lot 3 may also include small discreet packages of specialist technical advisor input required for the project covering any technical and delivery disciplines.
Responses are due by 14th October 2024.
