James Fisher Renewables has won three multi-million pound 13-15-year contracts supplying specialist operations and maintenance (O&M) services to support informed decision-making for offshore transmission asset owners (OFTOs) at Thanet, Gwynt-y-Môr, and Humber offshore wind farms in the UK.
The contracts will be performed by the company’s specialist high voltage business, EDS HV Group (EDS), for the Balfour Beatty Equitix Consortium (BBEC), investors and long-term fund managers of core infrastructure assets.
The agreement will see EDS provide enhanced O&M services for the offshore assets, ensuring safety of the system in-line with HV safety rules and the maintenance of HV transmission assets, alongside the integration of provisions for heating and ventilation systems, fire suppression, lifesaving equipment, and corrosion inspections.
Wayne Mulhall , managing director, JF Renewables, said: ”The combination of EDS and JF Renewables enables us to offer a much broader suite of services bolstered by our multi-skilled team. Paired with the introduction of remote technology, such as condition monitoring tools that offset in-person requirements, we can operate leaner without compromising on safety or cost. This win represents the next step in our journey to being a complete end-to-end O&M service provider, and we are excited to be continuing our relationship with Equitix, through this contract with BBEC.”
Transmission infrastructure owners can find that unaddressed underlying problems can often result in an unplanned outage that reduces transmission capacity necessitating an emergency response at short notice with commercial consequences, James Fisher Renewables said.
EDS’ approach is said to allow them to focus the annual operating charge and focus on critical assets that require attention, allowing them to flex in-line with the natural deterioration that occurs in all assets over time.
Jonathan Ball , head of OFTO projects, EDS, said: ”Our flexible approach to contract maintenance, combined with our expertise in delivering on complex projects, is what sets us apart when it comes to our maintenance philosophy, and we are thrilled to be able to continue rolling this out with BBEC.”
This follows the 15-year contract awarded in 2019 to provide operations and maintenance services on OFTO assets at Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm.