Integrated industrial services provider Bilfinger UK, has partnered with Sulzer to help wind farm operators and developers reduce their operations and maintenance (O&M) costs and to streamline requirements for contractor support.

The partnership will see Bilfinger UK provide the fluid engineering firm’s specialist services within its wider offering to the sector. Sulzer delivers overhaul and testing on all rotating elements within a wind turbine, such as the generator, gearboxes and the turbine itself.

The Swiss-headquartered business, which was founded in 1834, is one of few contractors able to carry out these specialist services, which are typically provided by turbine manufacturers. It can also deliver them at up to 40% less cost than original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), helping operators to save money.

The business specialises in bespoke engineered solutions for pumping, turbomachinery and electro mechanical technologies. Sulzer can provide 24/7 support for rapid response repairs through to bespoke retrofit and re-engineered upgrades for all makes and models of equipment. Sulzer operates a network of 140 facilities across the globe with advanced manufacturing and specialist service capabilities.

The new services will complement Bilfinger UK’s existing integrity, maintenance and access solutions for windfarm O&M, from blade repairs to NDT and ANDT inspection, all delivered through rope access. The business is already delivering a number of major offshore wind projects in the UK and Denmark, which includes delivering a range of inspection, fabric and general maintenance solutions to a major developer’s offshore windfarms across the UK.

The agreement with Sulzer is the latest in a number of new strategic partnerships, including Renewable Field Services a leading blade and maintenance specialist, and Dutch firm Amphibious Energy, which builds renewable energy generator units capable of saving 50 tonnes of CO2e per year for offshore wind operators. 

Jody Lusher, Business Development Manager for Offshore Solutions/Services at Bilfinger UK, said:
“Our agreement with Sulzer represents the next step on our journey to building a tier 1 O&M offering for the renewables market as we focus on supporting customers with the energy transition.

The collaboration creates an attractive proposition for developers with wind energy set to play a vital role in decarbonising and decentralising the UKs energy network in the years to come. It will help them secure these services from one business, reducing contractor interfaces and making planning O&M initiatives less cumbersome, more efficient and cost-effective.

Sulzer provides the attentive service and expertise that’s essential for the efficient operation of windfarms, providing a natural extension to our extensive portfolio of services in the sector.”

David Simpson, Business Development Manager, Power at Sulzer, said:
“This partnership really changes the game for Windfarm Operators and Developers. There is now a single provider who can deliver multiple specialisms in electro mechanical technologies and the very best in engineering, planning, project management and execution of maintenance and integrity tasks. Together Bilifinger and Sulzer are the first choice for any Tier 1 O&M Service.

Operators and developers will now be able engage a tier 1 O&M service through Bilfinger UK, which will enable them to enhance the operations and maintenance profile of their windfarms through expert engineering, planning, project management and execution of maintenance and integrity tasks. By handing this over to a knowledgeable partnership, clients can focus on their core activity of providing sustainable power supply from productive, safe and well-maintained windfarms.”

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Bilfinger