Thames Water has issued a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) to update potential suppliers and investors about the next phase of its market engagement programme, aimed at supporting the development of a new reservoir in Oxfordshire.

The proposed reservoir, with a capacity of up to 150 million cubic meters and a surface area of approximately 7 square kilometers, will serve as a key regional asset, providing water to 15 million people across the area. Designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the reservoir was recently included in the company’s Water Resource Management Plan 2024, which was approved by the government.

Set to be operational by 2040, the reservoir will support Thames Water, Southern Water, and Affinity Water in ensuring a safe and secure water supply during droughts. It will also help address the growing challenges of climate change and the increasing demands of a rising population.

As part of its early market engagement, Thames Water is seeking to inform contractors and investors about the development of the reservoir, including the commercial and procurement strategies for two major opportunities:

• Infrastructure Provider (IP): Responsible for the design, construction, and financing of most assets within the SESRO (South East Strategic Reservoir Option) project.
• Main Works Contractor (MWC): Tasked with constructing and commissioning the assets under a target price contract, collaborating initially with Thames Water and later with the IP.

The market engagement also offers a chance for cross-sector discussions to align the project with market trends and gather insights from both contractors and investors.

Interested organisations are invited to register for the SESRO spring market engagement event, which will take place on Monday 17 March 2025. Registration closes on Friday 24 January 2025.

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