PD&MS Group says a new assignment on Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm highlights its growing reputation as a renewable energy sector “disruptor”.
The three-year framework agreement covers operations and maintenance (O&M).
It will see the Aberdeen-based energy services company supporting developer SSE Renewables at the Seagreen offshore wind farm, about 17 miles off the Angus coast.
PD&MS – traditionally focused on oil and gas – is a relatively new entrant into the O&M wind market.
The firm could be involved beyond the initial term of its latest contract win, as there are options to extend it for two more years.
Thomas Barter, head of renewables business development, PD&MS, said it was a landmark deal for the “vastly experienced market-leading energy services organisation”.
He added: “Winning this three-year SSE Renewables framework agreement on what will be Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, confirms our highly transferable skills and flexible delivery model is being recognised and is successfully disrupting the marketplace.”
The deal also helps to support local employment, he said, adding: “Our resourcing strategy is a particularly attractive proposition to wind developers as we utilise regionally based local technicians, rather than transporting in UK-wide support, resulting in both cost and green efficiencies, feeding into their local content targets.”
Bosses at PD&MS hope the deal with SSE Renewables will help to make it a “serious contender” for other “balance of plant” (BoP) work, particularly as Scotwind projects ramp up in the North Sea.
BoP is a term used in the industry to describe all the infrastructure and facilities of a wind turbine installation except for the turbine itself.
This is Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm 🌊
When fully operational the wind farm will be capable of generating enough clean and sustainable electricity to power more than 1.6m homes across the UK! ⚡@sserenewables #LetsDoNetZero #RenewableEnergy pic.twitter.com/6uWfKptvaB
— Scotland Is Now 🏴 (@Scotland) October 31, 2022
PD&MS – founded in 2002 – employs more than 650 people globally, across operations in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Azerbaijan.
The company recently secured a three-year O&M contract with Vattenfall to support its European operations.
Its other projects in the wind energy sector include previous work for SSE Renewables through Montrose Port Authority.
PD&MS also on acquisition trail
The firm has also won contracts to support energy from waste technology providers.
In addition, it has landed front-end conceptual work for innovative carbon capture, hydrogen and heat-to-power schemes.
And it has been active on the acquisition front recently, merging engineering firm Synergie Environ, of Glasgow, and Aberdeen-based consultancy Optimus into the business.
PD&MS chief executive Simon Rio said: “Over the past few years we have delivered a range of renewables and carbon reduction projects by leveraging the considerable expertise across our group.
“Over and above the clear progress we are making in the wind sector, we are developing an impressive track record in a range of clean energy and decarbonisation projects in a number of end markets.
“We are also supporting many North Sea operators and supply chain partners to decarbonise their assets and operations.”
Seagreen workscope
PD&MS’ work at Seagreen will include carrying out statutory inspections on power generating equipment connected to the national grid to make sure it is “safe, compliant, and operational”.
The contract also includes embedding the firm’s inspection technicians into Seagreen’s team to work across all wind turbine generators and an offshore substation.
In addition, PD&MS will support inspections at onshore locations such as Tealing substation, near Dundee, and an O&M base in Montrose.