Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
Vattenfall has awarded two contracts for a £400 million windfarm in south Wales to British firms, in a move hailed by energy secretary Ed Davey on Thursday.
The Swedish company encouraged “as many local firms as possible” to bid for contracts on the 228MW Pen y Cymoedd project, according to a statement. One year into the four-year building works, Vattenfall has placed £45 million of contracts with Wales-based businesses.
Neath-based Express Reinforcements and Wrexham-based Prysmian Cables & Systems were the latest to win multi-billion pound contracts.
Davey, who was due to visit Pen y Cymoedd but was detained by business in Westminster, said: “This onshore wind project will be the largest in England and Wales and will send a clear signal about this Government’s commitment to the industry. It will add to our energy mix that is tackling climate change and boosting energy security through moves to increase ‘homegrown’ sources.”
Piers Guy, Vattenfall director of onshore wind development in the UK, said: “Vattenfall is delighted that so much work is going to firms with bases here in Wales. Every contract has been won on merit and it demonstrates that we have the enthusiasm, skills and supply chain capability here in Wales to help deliver the UK’s onshore wind potential.”
To coincide with the event, Renewable UK published a good practice guide to maximising the use of local contractors for windfarms. Chief executive Maria McCaffery said 60 per cent of construction spend is typically local.
Davey welcomed the report, adding: “I hope to see many more local businesses across the UK compete and win contracts.”
Meanwhile, Welsh minister for natural resources Alun Davies opened a two-turbine wind project in Caerphilly.
“Wales is very fortunate to be rich in energy resource,” said Davies. “I am determined that we will work innovatively and collaboratively to maximise the long term economic benefits of that resource to Wales and to deliver my ambitions around green growth.”
Wales generated some 2.7TWh from 36,000 renewables projects in 2012, according to a study published by the Welsh Government.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.