Natural Power secures new renewable energy contracts

The company will deliver comprehensive ground investigation services for Vattenfall at the proposed 100MW Ourack and 90MW Quantans Hill wind farm developments in Scotland. The appointments extend a relationship between the two companies that has spanned more than 15 years of collaboration on UK renewable energy projects.

Under the contracts, Natural Power will carry out a full programme of ground investigation works to support the design and development of both sites. The scope includes rotary core borehole drilling, sampling and detailed geological logging; trial excavation and on-site geotechnical performance testing; peatland surveys; electrical resistivity and seismic refraction geophysical surveys; and aerial topographical surveys using semi-autonomous drone technology.

The investigations are intended to provide the geotechnical, geological and environmental data needed to inform detailed project design, reduce construction risk and support engineering decisions as the developments progress.

Ralph Spernagel, construction director at Natural Power, said the company was “delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with Vattenfall by supporting these proposed wind farm developments,” adding that the two organisations had worked together over many years to help grow the UK’s renewable energy capacity.

He said the latest contracts marked “another important milestone” in that partnership, and that combining expertise in geotechnical investigations, geophysical surveys, peatland assessments and drone-based technologies allowed the company to deliver “a fully integrated service” providing clients with high-quality data to progress projects with confidence.

Natural Power said the contracts reinforced its position as a trusted partner for renewable energy developers, supporting the delivery of new onshore wind projects as part of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system.

Separately, Natural Power has strengthened its position as one of Scotland’s leading renewable energy service providers after securing a contract with ScottishPower Renewables to support five onshore windfarms across southern Scotland.

Under the new five-year agreement, the company will provide operations and maintenance services at Ewe Hill 1, Ewe Hill 2, Hagshaw Hill 2 and Wether Hill, while its existing contract at Black Law Windfarm has also been extended. The award forms part of SPR’s latest operations and maintenance framework, representing a record £102.9 million investment in the UK’s onshore wind supply chain.

Matthew Kelly, Natural Power’s director of operations and asset management, said the company was “delighted to have strengthened our long-standing relationship with ScottishPower Renewables through this latest contract award,” describing it as a reflection of confidence in the company’s people, operational expertise and ability to safely deliver high-quality services across SPR’s onshore wind portfolio.

Kelly noted that, as a business headquartered in south-west Scotland, Natural Power was “particularly proud” that the investment supported skilled jobs within local communities while helping maintain the reliable operation of renewable energy assets contributing to Scotland’s clean energy ambitions. He added that the company had invested in expanding its teams in both Dumfries and Lanark to support the contract, creating new opportunities for engineers and strengthening operational capability.