Leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, Natural Power, has been appointed as owner’s engineer following completion of the EPC contract procurement services which it delivered for the 6MW Llwyndyrus solar farm in conjunction with (and on behalf of) the project owner, Blackfinch Energy. The project is located near Pwlheli in Gwynedd, Wales.
Natural Power was responsible for the preparation of the technical documentation for the EPC contract, engagement with each of the tendering contractors and management of the tender process. Following selection of the preferred bidder, Natural Power acted as technical advisor to Blackfinch Energy throughout the contract negotiation process which culminated in appointment of the EPC contractor.
David Dunne, Operations Manager at Natural Power, said “This is the first time we have partnered with Blackfinch to deliver engineering and construction project management services, and our technical expertise has complemented the financial and commercial acumen of Blackfinch to ensure a successful procurement process during the pre-construction phase. We now look forward to continuing our partnership throughout the construction phase as owner’s engineer with the solar farm scheduled to enter commercial operation by the end of 2020.”
Guy Lavarack, Investment Director at Blackfinch Energy, added: “We are delighted to have signed the engineering, procurement and construction contract on our first subsidy-free development for a large ground-mount solar site. This is an important milestone for the project. It also reflects how Blackfinch Energy is developing new projects in its own name.
“As a growing, acquisitive business, we continue working to meet the requirements of our investors, who are motivated to play their part in the global movement against climate change. At the UK level, site activity can make an important contribution to the local community in Llwyndyrus as well as to the UK energy mix nationally.”
In the past 12 months, Natural Power has supported more than 6GW of solar projects including work as technical advisor, independent engineer of record, energy yield analysis, providing expertise on PV plant lifetime extension, and installation quality; as well as more than 100MW of storage projects supported through due diligence and lender’s technical advisor roles. Globally, the business has supported 14.5GW across 236 solar projects since 2012 and has a proven reputation and track record of working with clients to deliver solar projects from site finding and feasibility studies through permitting and construction. Find out more here www.naturalpower.com/uk/expertise/sector/solar
About Natural Power
Natural Power is an independent consultancy and service provider that supports a global client base in the effective delivery of a wide range of renewable projects including onshore wind, solar, renewable heat, energy storage and offshore technologies. It has a global reach, employing more than 400 staff across 12 international offices. Its experience extends across all phases of the project lifecycle from initial feasibility, through construction to operations and throughout all stages of the transaction cycle.
