Afsluitdijk
The background
In 2018, under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), the Levvel consortium – comprising Invesis, Van Oord and Aberdeen Infrastructure Partners – entered a 30-year public-private partnership with Rijkswaterstaat to design, build, finance and maintain the Afsluitdijk.
This landmark marine infrastructure project in the Netherlands stretches from Den Oever in North Holland to Kornwerderzand in Friesland. It plays a critical role in protecting the country from flooding and the increasing risks posed by extreme weather conditions.
Originally constructed between 1927 and 1932, the Afsluitdijk has safeguarded large parts of the Netherlands from the Wadden Sea for generations. However, after more than 85 years in service, the 32 km dam no longer met modern standards for flood protection and water discharge, necessitating a major upgrade to ensure its resilience in the face of climate change.
Through its partnership with Levvel, the Afsluitdijk is being transformed into a modern, energy-neutral structure that will continue to protect the Netherlands until at least 2050, while preserving the heritage and significance of the original design.
Client
Rijkswaterstaat
Capital Value
€764m
Sponsor/Investor
Invesis, Van Oord Aberdeen Infrastructure Partners, Rebel
Consortium
Levvel
Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)
BAM Infra BV and Van Oord Nederland BV
Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
BAM Infra BV and Van Oord Nederland BV
Business value
Rijkswaterstaat selected Levvel through a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) process, recognising the consortium’s ability to deliver a high-quality, cost-effective and sustainable solution through the smart application of proven technologies.
Strong collaboration and continuous communication throughout both the tender and construction phases have fostered a positive, long-term partnership between Rijkswaterstaat and the consortium. This collaborative approach will continue into the maintenance phase, reinforcing Invesis and its partners as trusted, long-term delivery partners.
Key features
By using a PFI contract approach and partnering with the Levvel consortium, the project:
