Natural Power has been appointed by Frodsham Wind Farm Ltd., owned by Peel Energy and Belltown Power, for the asset management of Frodsham Wind Farm in Cheshire. Natural Power will assume operational and site management responsibility for Frodsham following completion of the construction phase which is due to finish in the last quarter of 2016.
The total installed capacity of the 19 turbine wind farm will be 50.35MW, making it one of England's largest onshore wind farms, and the largest in Cheshire.
Alistair Parlett, Head of Site Management at Natural Power, said: "We offer clients an integrated, long-term, total asset management service by applying the highest standards in relation to health and safety management, performance management and smart interpretation of the data, with a predictive, KPI-led maintenance programme. "This fully integrated approach helps to ensure that our clients' assets are operated safely and perform optimally."
Natural Power's appointed site manager, Mike Hughes, is local to Frodsham and will be supported by the wider regional and national team to deliver an efficient and consistent service. His location and expertise in power generation operation and maintenance and high voltage safety management, combined with data input and remote management technology from Natural Power's ControlCentre', will provide Frodsham Wind Farm with a range of complementary services seamlessly working together to maximise efficiency and reduce downtime.
Between now and take-over of the site, Natural Power will be conducting a rigorous handover including familiarisation visits and formal familiarisation training, population of the ControlCentre work control system, and preparation of induction materials, site safety rules and emergency response plans.
About Frodsham Wind Farm
Frodsham Wind Farm was approved by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on 19th October 2012 following a public inquiry. Construction started in April 2015 and will continue until late 2016. It is primarily located on canal deposit grounds owned and operated by the Manchester Ship Canal Company, a part of the Peel Ports division of the Peel Group. The site is located within the administrative boundary of Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The wind farm is essentially divided into two clusters' of turbines, each served by its own sub-station:
- The western cluster comprises 13 turbines and is located to the immediate north of the village of Helsby
- The eastern cluster consists of six turbines and is located to the immediate north of the village of Frodsham
Each of the turbines will be 125m tall. Installed capacity will be >50MW.
