Thames Water has announced the next stages of market engagement to support development of the South-east’s new reservoir.

The reservoir, also known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), is crucial to securing future water supply for 15 million Thames Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water customers and could cost £2.2bn to develop.

An Arup Binnies joint venture has already been appointed as technical partner to lead development proposals for the site near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

Thames Water has now published a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) to initiate early market engagement for its proposed reservoir – with an event being held on March 17.

The notice signals the next stage in the company’s market engagement programme for the reservoir and Thames Water is encouraging interested parties to register their interest in participating.  

With a capacity of up to 150 million cubic meters and a surface area of approximately 7 square kilometres, the proposed reservoir is set to become a key regional asset, supplying 15 million people across the region.

The reservoir has also been designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, with the government recently approving the company’s Water Resource Management Plan 2024, including the needs case for this major asset.   

 The site is expected to be operational by 2040 and will support Thames Water, Southern Water and 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 demands of a growing population.  

Thames Water’s early market engagement aims to update contractors and investors on the development of the reservoir, including the company’s commercial and procurement strategies for two large scale future opportunities: 

Infrastructure Provider (IP): The IP will be responsible for taking forward the design, building, and financing the majority of assets within the SESRO project.

Main Works Contractor (MWC): To construct and commission the assets under a target price contract, working initially with TW and then the IP once the IP contract is awarded.

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. 

Mohit Farmah, head of procurement and supply chain at Thames Water, said: “We are excited to kick-start the year by getting the next stage of market engagement for our proposed reservoir underway.

“Contractors and investors have a crucial role to play in informing our approach and helping drive this vital project forward. We have been encouraged by the level of interest the market has shown to date.

“I encourage all interested parties to register their interest to engage with us and shape the future of this vital project, including our spring market engagement event on Monday 17 March.”

Interested organisations must register their interest by Friday 24 January 2025.

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