SCOTS energy specialist Aurora Energy Services Ltd will play “big brother” after acquiring ARC Wind in Australia.
The Canberra-based organisation install and commission services to the renewables sector, employing more than 250 staff and with annual revenues of more than £15.7m.
Aurora plans to more than treble revenues to £52m over the next five years and expects staff numbers to grow to approximately 750.
They aim to achieve this by cross-selling Aurora’s existing wind turbine repair capabilities and offering lifecycle maintenance services such as gearbox and turbine overhauls as well as blade repair.
Niall Conlon, Aurora director, said: “There is huge growth potential in the Australian wind energy sector.
“Both federal and state governments committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and to reduce emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.
“We’ve met with ARC Wind’s major customers and it is clear that the company is held in high regard for its quality of work, attention to detail and flexible approach to meeting clients’ needs.
“Aurora will play the role of a big brother, with a larger balance sheet, which will underpin strategic growth for ARC Wind in Australasia.
“We can provide international expertise, drawn from our experience in the UK’s fast developing wind sector and in North America.”
The Australian wind turbine operation and maintenance market is forecast to grow from £406.8m in 2022 to £712.5m by 2029 at a CAGR of 8.3%.
This is thanks to market expansion driven by widespread acceptance of wind energy and rising pressure to meet power demand using renewable energy sources.
ARC Wind’s management team and owner Andrew Lindsell will remain with the new business.
He will be supported by Conlon, who has history in the Australian energy sector through his roles as CEO of Resource Services Group and previously as country director of EnerMech.
ARC Wind chief executive officer, Andrew Lindsell, said: “We were impressed with Aurora’s strong credentials in emerging renewable energy markets.
“We can benefit from its founders’ long track-record in sustainable growth and global expansion in the oil and gas, engineering, construction and training sectors.
“This deal provides ARC Wind with the tools we need to reach our full potential.”
The acquisition follows Aurora’s purchase of Houston-based Cotech Group in October 2023 which provides rope and non-rope access inspection maintenance services to the US wind sector.
Aurora plans to establish a training centre in Canberra to provide the skills and regulatory certifications needed to support Australia’s wind sector.
Aurora Energy Services CEO, Doug Duguid, said: “In January, the Scottish National Investment Bank provided a £20m debt facility, primarily to support domestic growth.
“But [it is] also to assist our international expansion and we are delighted to once again be active in Australia’s dynamic energy sector.”
