ScottishPower Renewables has awarded £102.9m in contracts to four companies for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of 24 onshore windfarms over the next five years.
The awards span businesses in the Highlands, Dumfries and Galloway, Belfast and Lanarkshire, and are expected to support engineering jobs and local economies across the UK.
Three of the four suppliers – Everun, RES and Natural Power – already hold O&M contracts with ScottishPower Renewables and are expanding their existing portfolios under the new deals. Gael Energy, based in Invergordon, joins as a new supplier.
Ross Galbraith, onshore construction and operations director at ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Transitioning the country to a cleaner, greener future has so many benefits beyond the environment, and our support for the supply chain throughout the UK is clear evidence of this.
“By continuing to invest in our assets, we are giving businesses in the supply chain the confidence to make their own investments, and that results in jobs and other benefits for local communities.”
He added: “All of these companies have proven track records in the wind energy sector, and we are proud to be able to build on existing relationships and cultivate new ones which we look forward to being able to grow in the years ahead.”
Gael Energy’s selection was driven partly by its existing windfarm operations experience and its ability to draw on local resources in the area. Hamish Campbell, the company’s founder and managing director, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this operations and maintenance contract and to be supporting another renewable energy project here in the Highlands.
“As a business headquartered in the heart of the Highlands, we’ve always believed that having a strong local presence is fundamental to the way we operate. Being close to our customers allows us to respond quickly, build lasting relationships, and invest in the communities where we work.
“This contract is another important milestone for Gael Energy, strengthening our growing portfolio of windfarm O&M agreements and reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable services across the region. It also represents another step in our continued growth throughout the Highlands, creating opportunities for our team while supporting the long-term success of Scotland’s renewable energy sector.
“We look forward to working closely with ScottishPower Renewables to ensure the wind farm continues to operate safely, efficiently and reliably for years to come.”
Belfast-based Everun has worked with ScottishPower Renewables on its Irish assets for five years, and secured major works contracts on a number of Scottish sites in 2024, since establishing facilities in Glasgow and recruiting a dedicated team. The latest tender adds three new sites covering 97 wind turbine generators to the five Northern Ireland and Ireland sites Everun already operates and maintains, with 15 staff directly supporting the Scotland operations.
Michael Thompson, managing director of Everun, said: “The partnership between SPR and Everun has been built over a number of years, setting clear objectives for continuous improvement via investment in staff and infrastructure.
“We are delighted to be expanding our operations and look forward to delivering consistent services for SPR into the future.”
Technical partnership
RES, which describes itself as the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, opened a new logistics hub in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, earlier this month. The hub serves as the operational base for a five-year O&M contract covering 15 windfarms, providing logistics support, component refurbishment and specialist technical resource across the portfolio. The contract has created 32 direct jobs, including 16 technicians, taking RES’ headcount on the contract to close to 100.
Simon Deacon, regional O&M director, Northern Europe at RES, said: “This contract reflects the long-term, technical partnership we’ve built with ScottishPower Renewables. Our growing team at Bellshill gives us the local capability to support this expanded portfolio safely and efficiently.”
Natural Power, headquartered in Dumfries and Galloway, has secured four additional windfarms under the process, employing 23 people across the sites.
Matthew Kelly, director of operations and asset management at Natural Power, said: “We’re delighted to have strengthened our long-standing relationship with ScottishPower Renewables through this latest contract award. It reflects the confidence in our people, our operational expertise and our ability to safely deliver high-quality services across its onshore wind portfolio.
“As a business headquartered in south-west Scotland, we’re particularly proud that this investment supports skilled jobs within local communities while helping maintain the reliable operation of renewable energy assets that are making an important contribution to Scotland’s clean energy ambitions.
“We’ve invested in expanding our teams in both Dumfries and Lanark to support the contract, creating new opportunities for skilled engineers and strengthening our operational capability for the future. We look forward to continuing to work closely with ScottishPower Renewables and continuing to support the production of reliable, clean energy.”
Image credit: ScottishPower Renewables
Read next: HS2 completes Burton Green tunnel structure
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
