OPERATIONS, maintenance and asset integrity contractor Bilfinger Salamis UK has formed a strategic partnership with blade repair and maintenance specialists GEV Wind Power (GEV) in a bid to strengthen its position in the renewables market.
The new partnership offers wind farm operators a complete service for the repair and maintenance of full turbines – drawing on the specialist blade expertise of GEV alongside Bilfinger’s comprehensive range of fabric repair, cleaning and inspection services.
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The companies say the partnership will also help to ensure a high level of availability for operator’s assets while reducing costs.
Hull-based GEV works on more than 40 wind farms both on and offshore every year, mobilising over 300 technicians worldwide. The company specialises in structural blade repairs, installation and replacement of retrofits, Lightning Protection System testing and replacement, and Leading Edge Protection installation.
Bilfinger provides a range of operations and maintenance services including alternative access, fabric maintenance, specialist cleaning and advanced non-destructive inspection in the UK, Denmark and Holland. Over the last three years the company has diversified into the offshore wind market, delivering contracts in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
Mike Henderson, Bilfinger Salamis UK’s business development and commercial director, said: “This partnership aligns our innovative approaches and comprehensive competences in operations, maintenance and technology, creating an integrated service offering that delivers greater operating and cost efficiencies for our clients.
“As the UK offshore wind market continues to grow, Bilfinger Salamis UK and GEV are well placed with bases around the UK coastline, with a network of logistics facilities in some of the key renewables hubs, and an extensive resource pool of experienced and knowledgeable technicians.
“Bilfinger’s extensive history in offshore operations and maintenance enables us to identify synergies with some of the emerging challenges in the renewables industry. Collaborating with companies such as GEV means we are well placed to realise our goal of becoming a Tier 1 operations and maintenance partner to the offshore wind industry.”
David Fletcher, GEV chief executive officer, said: “Over the last few years GEV has established itself as a global market-leader in wind turbine blade repair and maintenance. We are now excited to be collaborating with Bilfinger and be in a position to offer our clients a comprehensive range of additional fabric maintenance solutions supported by an industry leader in this field.”
