Affinity Water has today launched an early market engagement exercise for its proposed £510 million (inc VAT) Grand Union Canal Transfer scheme - the capex scheme is crucial to securing future water supply for Affinity Water customers in the Southeast of England.
The water company has today issued a Preliminary Market Engagement notice (PMEN) signalling the next stage in the company’s market engagement programme and encouraging potential suppliers and investors to register their interest in participating.
The Grand Union Canal Transfer is a joint water transfer project between two water companies, Affinity Water and Severn Trent, and the Canal & River Trust charity, the owner and navigation authority of the canals in England and Wales. The vital Strategic Resource Option (SRO) scheme to bring water from the Midlands to the Southeast.will enable the transfer of 15 million litres from the Midlands to the Southeast per day, securing future drinking water supplies for Affinity Water customers.
The scheme has been designated as a Project of National Significance, with the government recently approving Affinity Water’s Water Resource Management Plan 2024, which demonstrated the needs case for this major transfer.
The transfer is expected to be operational by 2032 and will support Affinity Water in delivering a safe and secure supply of water during periods of drought. It will also help to meet the increasing pressures of climate change and the demands of a growing population while protecting the environment, ensuring future water availability for canal navigation, and unlocking investment in our communities, now and in the future.
Early market engagement
Affinity Water’s early market engagement aims to update contractors and investors on the development of the scheme, including the company’s current commercial and procurement positions.
In addition, the engagement is also an opportunity to shape the market and encourage cross-party conversations that align the project to market trends, taking into account both contractor and investor perspectives.
Natasha Coackley, Head of Strategic Water Resources, Affinity Water, commented:
“We are excited to kick-start the next stage of market engagement for our proposed transfer. Contractors and investors have a crucial role to play in informing how we can best deliver value for money to our customers through this innovative scheme, and helping us drive it forward. We have been encouraged by the level of interest the market has shown to date, and I encourage all interested parties to register their interest to engage with us and shape the future of this innovative project.”
Participation and next steps
Interested organisations are invited to register their interest in the market engagement by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register/participate in the market engagement process.
Click here to download the Market Engagement Pack