Existing and New Traction Substation Works Market Engagement

The renewal and enhancements of the traction substations project is part of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Mass Transit programme Outline Business Case (OBC). The intention is to increase the capacity of the existing supertram to 6 trains per direction on the yellow route, 6 trains per direction on the blue route, 2 trains per hour on the purple route and 3 tram trains per direction on the black route. The existing traction substations equipment is life expired and in need of replacement due to lack of maintenance spares. The existing traction substations are 11kV AC input into 750V DC output. To support the Supertram network increase in capacity, SYMCA are looking to construct new traction substations on the supertram network. The exact requirements are to be determined through power modelling, but early thoughts are to be in the region of 6 new traction substations. SYMCA are currently exploring a procurement strategy of provision of employer’s requirements and a performance specification to tender for a design and build framework contract but would welcome feedback from the market to help shape our approach. Indicative budget estimate is in the region of £11.98m for the existing traction substation renewals/refurbishment and £22.5m for the new traction substations. This market engagement exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to engage with the contracting authority to help inform decisions regarding the above requirement.