Renewable Energy Transport Opportunities Study (HITRANSformers)

Description

Renewable Energy Transport Opportunities Study (HITRANSformers): HITRANS is looking for a suitably qualified consultant team to study the impacts of the renewable energy projects on the transport network in the Highlands and Islands, and to make recommendations on solutions to enable Net Zero targets to be fulfilled, and to leave a legacy for future generations. The successful bidder is expected to offer specialists in renewable energy, transport planning and logistics and have experience of working in the Highlands and Islands. Lot 1: Transport and Renewables HITRANSformers HITRANS is looking for a suitably qualified consultant to study the impact s of the renewable energy projects on the transport network in the Highlands and Islands, and to make recommendations on solutions to enable Net Zero targets to be fulfilled, and to leave a legacy for future generations. The successful bidder is expected to offer specialists in renewable energy, transport planning and logistics and have experience of working in the Highlands and Islands. Study Objectives 1. An overview of consented, developed and proposed energy schemes both on-shore and off-shore, including OHL and subsea. The consultant should make use of existing databases such as the Renewable Energy Planning Database and work already completed by HIE. Grid reinforcement works planned by SSEN should also be included. 2. A quantified estimate of cumulative effects on both the local and strategic transport networks for the energy schemes and grid reinforcement projects, including during construction and operation. This assessment should consider the likely timing of developments, origin and destination of materials required, including aggregates and likely abnormal load routes. It is recognised there is some uncertainty regarding the timing of future developments and assumptions should be based on available evidence and professional judgement. These should be discussed and agreed with the client group. 3. An understanding of capacity, capability, pinch-points and constraints on the local and strategic transport and logistics networks. 4. Quality information for policy makers, planners, infrastructure managers and controllers, and Police Scotland: a one stop shop for data on transport and renewables. This should be deliverable in an electronic graphic format and should be capable of being updated. 5. Identification of investment in infrastructure improvements required to overcome these constraints - road, rail, and ports, harbours and waterways, including indicative costs. Infrastructure improvements should focus on strategic improvements which are unlikely to be funded through planning obligations, so excluding site access requirements etc. The list of infrastructure improvements should be rag rated according to their potential impact on risk to project delivery. 6. Identification of business opportunities for local transport and construction SMEs. 7. A policy framework for the establishment of a collaborative forum leading to co-operative use of networks. 8. An exploration of policy mechanisms to encourage investment in the transport network. 9. A technical note on Great Glen Pumped Storage Hydro logistics will also be required at the earliest opportunity, to include the use of the Caledonian Canal. Additional information A separate piece of work will be commissioned to study the impacts of workforce travel to site, workforce travel to home for weekends/leave and worker accommodation. Budget A budget of GBP 100000 (one hundred thousand pounds) ex VAT is available. HITRANS is the procuring party. Timescales The study will be tendered via Public Contracts Scotland on 12.06.26, with a deadline for return at 1200 on 20.07.26. Bids will be emailed in pdf format (max 30 pages) to info@hitrans.org.uk. The study will be awarded on 27.07.26. Study Management The contract is with the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership (HITRANS). The main contact will be Frank Roach Partnership Manager at HITRANS. A Steering Group of key funders will be formed, and regular meetings held. There will also be meetings with the wider Client Group. Tenderers should budget for three in person meetings in Inverness. Evaluation Please see attachment hitransformers brief 120626.