UK Offshore Transmission Operator, Transmission Capital Partners has announced the appointment of renewable energy consultancy Natural Power to deliver NP /ControlCentre services including: 24/7 alarm monitoring, voltage control, access control, emergency de-energisation, emergency response management and liaison with National Grid (working as National Electricity Transmission System Operator) and the Distribution Network Operator.
Services will be provided on the offshore electricity transmission network for Vattenfall’s 150MW Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm located in the Irish Sea, 10km off Barrow-In-Furness, in the north west of the UK.
The company’s NP /ControlCentre (previously known as WindCentre) is a 24/7/365 operational control room, providing onshore and offshore site management services round the clock for a range of renewable sectors including onshore and offshore wind, biomass and solar PV projects. The 24 hour control room service, manned by experienced engineers, is facilitated by a purpose built software solution for health & safety management, work order recording and access control – all in line with industry best practice, such as the RenewableUK Wind Turbine Safety Rules.
The company’s Asset Management team currently manage 139 wind farms globally, including 14 sites in Ireland, representing 1360 turbines, as well as currently breaking into the US market with the provision of services to a number of operational wind farms.
This represents operational management of 37% and 20% respectively of the UK’s and Irish installed onshore capacity respectively.
Commenting on the contract announcement, Natural Power’s Director of Asset Management, Andy Howie said: “We are delighted to be working with Transmission Capital Partners on this OFTO contract, delivering all of the unique 24/7 benefits that NP /ControlCentre brings.”
Chris Veal, Managing Director at Transmission Capital Investment welcomed the agreement, noting: “Natural Power is a world leading provider of control room services and the team there are exactly the right kind of people to ensure that Transmission Capital Partners remains a proven market leader in offshore electricity transmission.”
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Press release, September 9, 2013; Image: Natural Power