Energy Technical Specialist Advisor

DemoWind and BESTF (Bioenergy Sustaining the Future) are EU ERA-NET co-funded programmes supporting the development of energy technologies that minimise the environmental impact of energy production and use. The programmes consist of grant funded projects that have at least two partners from different member states. Each collaborator is grant funded by their host country and approved projects qualify for an EU contribution of up to 33%, paid retrospectively. In addition, the UK has administrative and co-ordinating responsibilities for the programmes, including reporting, the distribution of EU funds to project participants, and dissemination. BEIS needs expert technical advice and detailed project management support to augment its in house capabilities so that it can effectively undertake these duties. In May 2017, a Technical Advisor (TA) Services Contract (with a value of £70k) and with an end date of 31 March 2019, was put in place under the Energy Technical Specialist (ETS) Framework, Lot 2; Offshore wind and the marine environment. A contract variation added another £28.765. The contract is with: " BVG Associates Ltd. The current contract for technical support due to end on 31 March 2019, consistent with the then expected workload and completion date for these programmes. Progress has been slower than expected due to staffing difficulties within BEIS which has delayed the start, and hence completion, of a number of projects. This, together with a higher than previously expected workload to provide an adequate level of project oversight, requires the TA Services contract to be extended to 30 April 2019 with an increase in budget of £20,000 (making the total contract value £118,765) to cover the expected workload up to that date.