AURORA Energy Services has announced its expansion into South America with the acquisition of a Chilean wind energy services business.
The Scottish-headquartered renewable energy company has acquired the Latin American assets of Altitec Blade Services.
This is a separate entity from the Altitec parent group acquired by Swire Renewable Energy earlier this year.
The acquisition includes operations in the capital Santiago and key personnel across the country.
It positions Aurora to capitalise on the growing wind energy market in South America, bolstered by the company having already secured two significant projects in Chile.
These consist of a two-month blade repair campaign across multiple sites and a warranty work project for a major blade manufacturer.
By 2023, the country had 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of installed wind capacity, with plans to increase this to 10 GW by 2030, marking it as a significant growth market in the region.
The Chilean government’s energy transition strategy aims for at least 60% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2035, rising to 70% by 2050.
Former Altitec executive Raúl de la Jara Mellado has been appointed general manager to lead Aurora’s new operations in Chile.
The company is committed to its objective of taking the Chilean arm of the business to an annual turnover of $5-10m with around 50 employees over the next three years.
It is hoped it will also act as a springboard for further expansion within South America.
Tom Smith, chief operating officer of Aurora Energy Services, said: “South America’s wind energy sector is poised for substantial growth, and this acquisition allows us to establish a strong foothold in the region.
“Initially, we will offer blade repair services, but will expand our services to include mechanical services and construction/installation services.
Aurora’s global workforce currently stands at approximately 700 employees, with a forecast annual revenue of £70m, reflecting its ambitious growth strategy.
The company is also exploring opportunities in the Asia Pacific and South African markets.
Smith added: “We’re not just expanding geographically.
“We’re bringing our expertise in blade repair and wind turbine services to markets that demand quality, reliability, and innovation.”
This acquisition marks another milestone in Aurora’s journey to becoming a global leader in renewable energy services, following recent strategic wind sector acquisitions in the UK, North America, and Australia.
