FCC is competing in the final stage of Thames Water’s procurement for the White Horse reservoir, a proposed infrastructure project intended to strengthen water supplies in south-east England.
Three consortia remain in the competition
The Spanish construction and services group FCC is part of a consortium with South Korean company Hyundai and Italy’s Webuild. The other finalists are a group comprising France’s Bouygues and Britain’s Murphy and Volker, and a second consortium formed by France’s Vinci and Britain’s CC Walford. Market sources cited by Expansión describe FCC as the only Spanish construction firm among the leading contenders. No contractor has yet been appointed: Thames Water is expected to ask all three groups for more detailed proposals before making a decision.
A staged process will test the full project offer
Thames Water began the contractor-selection process in January for the firm that will design, build, test and put the reservoir into service. The next stage is a request to the three shortlisted consortia for more detailed submissions, including their budgets. This structure narrows the field before bidders commit to a fuller technical and commercial proposal, allowing the buyer to compare complete delivery approaches rather than selecting only on an initial expression of interest. The award is expected by the end of this year, with construction forecast to employ 1,800 people.
White Horse is planned for long-term supply
The White Horse reservoir is planned for Abingdon, in the Oxford area north of London, with capacity of 150 cubic hectometres. Its promoters say it could secure water supplies for 15 million people in south-east England, including the capital. The facilities are also intended to become a tourism destination because they would create one of the United Kingdom’s largest areas of freshwater. Thames Water plans nine reservoirs in coming years as part of a wider response to changing rainfall patterns and drought-related restrictions, including those affecting London since July.
The contract sits within a wider investment programme
Thames Water is the United Kingdom’s principal water company and serves the London area. It finances investment through customer bills and has debt of about €23 billion, while its future is described as potentially involving temporary nationalisation or control by creditors. Separately, the company and other water businesses have authorisation through 2030 for projects valued at £104 billion. Spanish construction and engineering groups see the programme as a major business opportunity, alongside the individual reservoir competition. Sources consulted by Expansión describe the White Horse tender as the main individual waterworks procurement currently open in Europe.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract value | £5.7 billion, or €6.6 billion |
| Project | The White Horse reservoir |
| Shortlisted consortia | Three |
| Planned capacity | 150 cubic hectometres |
| Potential supply reach | 15 million people |
| Expected construction employment | 1,800 people |
| Expected award | By the end of this year |
Three consortia will now prepare more detailed proposals, including their budgets, for Thames Water.
WHY IT MATTERS
The process shows how a major infrastructure buyer can move from a wider market exercise to a shortlist, then seek detailed technical and budget proposals from several competing consortia before selecting a principal contractor.
Reported from expansion.com, 2026-09-29. The Tender Wire is published by Otnox.
