JV secures £300m HS2 power supply contract

A Siemens Mobility and Costain joint venture (JV) has been awarded a £300m contract to deliver high voltage power supply systems for HS2.
The long-term deal will see the partners supply the systems throughout the entire 225km route between London and the West Midlands.
Both companies will draw on extensive mega-project experience, including the Elizabeth line and the East Coast Main Line Power Supply Upgrade.
The JV will be responsible for designing, manufacturing, supplying, installing, testing, commissioning and maintaining high voltage power supply systems between London and Birmingham.
Following completion of the design and build contract there will be a separate seven-year maintenance contract valued at £32m for the JV.
Alex Vaughan, CEO of Costain said: “This new contract continues our long-standing involvement with the UK’s largest strategic investment programme and reflects our excellent collaborative relationship with HS2. It also marks the start of a new partnership with Siemens Mobility and its team of experts who share our values and ambitions.
“Providing a safe, reliable power system will be critical to the success of a new transport route which will be one of the lowest carbon ways to travel in the UK, freeing up more capacity on the existing rail network and helping to take cars and lorries off the roads. Rail electrification remains a crucial part of the UK’s decarbonisation plans and HS2’s power supply will set new standards for the infrastructure industry.”
Rob Morris, joint CEO of Siemens Mobility UKI said: “HS2 is going to transform rail travel in Britain, and we’re delighted to be playing a key part in delivering it with our Joint Venture partners, Costain.
“Our work for HS2 will help in sustaining British jobs and skills from our UK based workforce, and in our 2,500 strong supply chain.
“We’re already committed to investing £100 million in a brand-new digital engineering, manufacturing and research and development centre in Chippenham, which will now play a key role in delivering HS2.”