Key South Africa contract win for construction consultancy
LANCASHIRE-based construction consultancy Drive Group has won an professionals services contract with International Power Consortium South Africa to deliver specific project advisory and project management services for the news privately-owned Saldanha gas-fired power plant.
The contract is subject to the procurement of sufficient funding for the project, the first stage of which is the securing of seed capital for the completion of a bankable feasibility study. This is not yet complete.
The project is designed to provide a comprehensive solution to ArcelorMittal Saldanha Steel to sustain its business beyond 2019.
IPCSA and ArcelorMittal signed a development agreement in December 2014 with IPCSA the project owner.
The power plant will be located in Saldanha Bay, approximately 150km north of Cape Town.
The combined cycle gas turbine power station will have an installed capacity of 1500MW with a potential to increase to 3000MW in future if required.
It will supply all of the power requirements for Saldanha Steel up to 250MW, while the additional electricity will be made available to support and sustain existing industry and encourage economic growth in Saldanha Bay, the West Coast District Municipality and the Western Cape Province.
Listed Haslingden company Driver’s services will range from transaction advisory, feasibility, strategic project advice and project management through construction and completion.
Chief executive Dave Webster said: “I am delighted that our South African team have been able to secure the appointment of professional services for such a strategic and high profile project. This appointment further strengthens our credentials in the development and project management of large infrastructure schemes.”
