October 2014
LOCAL COMPANY R G CARTER AWARDED MULTI-MILLION POUND CONTRACT AT WRYDE CROFT WIND FARM NEAR PETERBOROUGH
Leading renewable energy company RES has awarded the main construction contract for Wryde Croft Wind Farm near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, to R G Carter - a family-owned contractor with offices in the city and throughout the East of England.
The contract, which is valued in the region of £5 million, is the second big win for R G Carter at the wind farm: the company has recently completed offsite road improvements for RES in preparation for construction starting on site.
Commenting on the contract award John Boyce, RES’ Construction Project Manager for Wryde Croft Wind Farm, said:
“This is the first time that RES and R G Carter have worked together, but it quickly became clear that we have a very similar approach to construction and delivery of renewable energy projects. Both our companies have a clear appreciation of the need to deliver high quality work to an agreed timetable, while minimising disruption for local people.
“RES has made a commitment to employ local companies during the construction and operation of Wryde Croft Wind Farm where there are services and supplies available to match requirements. As a company with a strong local presence, we believe R G Carter will help us to identify opportunities for even more local companies to benefit from involvement in the wind farm’s construction. We look forward to working with them to deliver a project that will bring genuine benefits to the local area.”
Ivan Groom, Director of R G Carter, added:
“Our Civil Engineering Team is delighted to have been awarded the contract for Wryde Croft Wind Farm. R G Carter has considerable experience in constructing renewable energy schemes and we are looking forward to working with RES to deliver this project. We are well known in the area and will shortly engage with local sub-contractors and supply chain partners to procure materials and services for the scheme. I wish every success to all involved in this exciting project.”
RES estimates that an average of 25-30 people will be required on site throughout the wind farm’s 15 month construction programme. As well as direct employment at the site, Wryde Croft Wind Farm will have a positive effect on the local economy indirectly too; for example through increased use of local rented accommodation, catering and retail outlets.
Once the wind farm becomes operational, it will provide a community benefits package of £130,000 per year. This will include a Community Fund to support local social, educational and environmental projects, and RES’ unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme, which will offer an annual discount of at least £100 off the electricity bills of properties closet to the wind farm. More information about the community benefits and how to access them will be announced in the coming months.
Construction of Wryde Croft Wind Farm will take around 15 months. Once operational, the wind farm will be capable of generating sufficient renewable electricity to meet the annual average requirements of more than 13,000 homes.