Scottish renewables consultancy wins operations contract for new Irish wind farm
A SCOTTISH RENEWABLES FIRM, Natural Power, has won the contract to run a Northern Irish windfarm which will power 10,0000 homes in the country.
The deal comes following previous cooperation between Scottish and Northern Irish energy and consultancy firms which have looked for a way to cooperate on expertise and resources given the cuts made to government support for renewables by the UK Tory Government.
Based in Dumfries and Stirling, the firm will provide a full range of operational services, including managing the site, it’s commercial functions, health and safety management and technical works on the windfarm.
It will also see the Scottish firm work with owners of the site, NTR, a Dublin based financial body which invests in renewable projects.
“We are delighted that this relationship will continue through to the operational phase of the project.” Joe Dalton
Conor Sheehan, head of operations at Natural Power Ireland, said: “Both NTR and our construction team delivered a quality asset and enabled a smooth transition into operations, and so we very much look forward to working hard to manage and of this asset on behalf of NTR in the coming years.
“Our Operations and Asset Management team is delighted to continue Natural Power’s involvement with NTR and Ora More into the operational phase. Both NTR and the Natural Power construction team delivered a quality asset and enabled a smooth transition into operations, and so we very much look forward to working hard to manage and optimise performance of this asset on behalf of NTR in the coming years.”
The Ora More Wind Farm located in Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland is made up of six turbines which will generate electricity to meet the needs of more than 10,000 homes. Natural Power have been among a number of Scottish energy companies which specialise in renewable energy that have been forced to look outside the UK mainland for contracts and projects.
The six turbines will generate electricity to meet the needs of more than 10,000 homes
What makes the Natural Power contract win special is that the company previously was involved in the testing, construction and technical development of the land around the windfarm site.
During this period the company also opened offices in Dublin looking to expand into the Irish market north and south of the border. It makes it the first Scottish company based soley in Scotland to expand as a renewable firm in the country.
Joe Dalton, director of asset management at NTR, said: “NTR worked closely with Natural Power during the construction of Ora More wind farm site, and we are delighted that this relationship will continue through to the operational phase of the project. Natural Power was selected to manage the site based on its track record and the comprehensive suite of operational services.”
Picture courtesy of Natural Power
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