Tendering for Fehmarn’s Tunnel Installations Begins

The tendering process for the construction of the world’s longest tunnel across the Fehmarnbelt has now entered its next phase.

The dialogue with the major tunnel contractors on the conditions for building the concrete tunnel itself began last year. Tendering for the tunnel’s extensive electrical and mechanical installations is now beginning.

The equipment and installations include ventilation of the tunnel and buildings, safety doors, fire prevention systems, drainage, electrical wiring and pipes, elevators, transformers, lightning, monitoring and control systems as well as communication systems.

The client, Femern A/S, has just received applications from six major international contractor consortia who wish to be prequalified to work on the electrical and mechanical installations in the tunnel.

The six consortia comprise 17 companies from eight countries. In addition to Denmark and Germany, applications have been received from the UK, Sweden, Spain, Italy, France and Austria.

The extensive contract, which has a value of approximately EUR 500 million, requires large-scale resources and technical expertise. “It is, therefore, highly satisfactory to have received so many bids,” comments Steen Lykke, Technical Directors at Femern A/S.

”It is very gratifying that interest in this contract has been so great. This is a very extensive contract of several years duration. With so many bids, we can be sure that we will find the best supplier to take on these very important and complex tasks,” says Steen Lykke.

Work on the electrical and mechanical installations is expected to begin in 2016, and the contractor will be responsible for the maintenance of the facility in the first years following the completion of the tunnel in 2021.