FASTER Project - Provision of Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure along the border counties in Ireland

Description

The FASTER project is a joint cross border project across Scotland, the border Counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland to support the overarching ambition to transition to low carbon transport systems and to demonstrate how each of the three jurisdictions can provide early systems learning in relation to the electrification of transport. This PIN notice relates only to the component of the FASTER project being undertaken by Louth County Council the provision of 25 rapid charge units across the border counties in the Republic of Ireland. The project aims to ensure that the availability of charging stations is not a major obstacle to Electric Vehicle (EV) market penetration with the proposal to carry out the design, analysis, procurement, installation, and operation of 73 Rapid Chargers (60kw per charger with the capacity to deliver 120kw where only one car is connected to the charger) across the three programme jurisdictions. Lot 1: The FASTER project is a joint cross border project across Scotland, the border Counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland to support the overarching ambition to transition to low carbon transport systems and to demonstrate how each of the three jurisdictions can provide early systems learning in relation to the electrification of transport. This PIN notice relates only to the component of the FASTER project being undertaken by Louth County Council the provision of 25 rapid charge units across the border counties in the Republic of Ireland. There are a total of seven project partners and 15 associate partners from across the three jurisdictions. The partnership will implement the physical rollout of 73 rapid charging stations in the programme area. Led by East Border Region Ltd. the project has considered the common policy ambition across Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, which is to transition to a low carbon transport system between now and 2040. One of the main barriers to the take up of these electric vehicles is the lack of public charging infrastructure and in particular rapid charging locations. The project aims to ensure that the availability of charging stations is not a major obstacle to Electric Vehicle (EV) market penetration with the proposal to carry out the design, analysis, procurement, installation, and operation of 73 Rapid Chargers (60kw per charger with the capacity to deliver 120kw where only one car is connected to the charger) across the three programme jurisdictions. There must be cross compatibility between the three jurisdictions which may be achieved using contactless card payments or other methods. The FASTER project has been awarded funding for the project’s capital costs from the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Further information about the FASTER project can be found at www.fasterevcharge.com The component of the FASTER project being undertaken in the Republic of Ireland requires the provision of 25 No. rapid charge units. The design, installation and commissioning of these EV charge units must be substantially complete by Oct 31st 2023. This component of the works is funded by the INTERREG VA Programme and managed by SEUPB. A subsequent 10 year operation and maintenance period will then commence with an initial minimum 7 year term followed by future extensions up to a maximum of 10 years. Due to its nature as a cross border project, there is a requirement to provide: • cross compatibility between the jurisdictions; and • Common project branding. The proposed scope of works and services that the contracting authority (Louth County Council – LCC) intend to procure includes: • Design of civil infrastructure required for EV chargers at proposed sites; • Obtaining required licenses, consents, and agreements; • Construction/ installation of 12 double EV charging pillars and one single charging pillar, including all required groundwork’s and reinstatement; • Liaise with the ESB on agreed and paid grid connections; • Provision of EV Charge Network Connection; • Provision of a Charge Point Management System; • Commissioning of the EV system; • Operation of tariff collection system – subscription/ membership basis and credit/debit card payment; • Payment of Electrical utility standing charges by operator in the operation phase • Provision of maintenance and fault management; • Provision of secure data management of payment processing; • Installation of Security CCTV / Public Lighting; and • Back office services to complete the administrative tasks required. It is anticipated that the Contract will commence in Quarter 1 of 2023. A more detailed description of services required will be set out in the Instructions to Tenderers which will be issued to the successful parties who are shortlisted following the selection / prequalification stage of the procurement process. The FASTER project has been awarded funding for the project’s capital costs from the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).