Sunderland's Enspec Power wins 50th wind farm project

Sunderland-based Enspec Power has secured its 50th wind farm project as it continues to experience soaring demand from the wind energy sector.

The family-owned electrical engineering business will work on the Boggeragh wind farm in Ireland.

Enspec Power is based at Glover Network Centre in Washington where it designs and manufactures equipment to enable wind farms and other renewable sources to connect safely to the national grid, and to comply with grid legislation.

Enspec director Dave Jones said: “Connecting wind farms to the national grid can be a complicated process. Every wind farm must comply with a “grid code” to ensure stability of the grid.

“We design and manufacture reactive compensation and harmonic filtration equipment to help assist with grid code compliance. During 2013 we have been delighted to see a big increase in demand for our products in the UK and from overseas.”

The combined total maximum output of every wind farm Enspec has worked on now exceeds 1500MW which is enough power to supply 1.25 million average UK homes.

The company is coming to the end of its 15th year, which has seen turnover increase by 25% and exporting extend to 17 countries.

Enspec has been supported by Sunderland City Council’s business investment team since it was established in Sunderland in 1998.

Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The enterprising way in which Enspec has driven forward into new global markets is a fantastic testimonial to the commitment of its staff and quality of its products. It’s great news that it has won major contracts and increased its exporting countries this year, exporting Sunderland-made products and expertise across the world.”

Dave Jones added: “All of our markets have shown steady growth during 2013 but we have seen the most significant increase in enquiries from the wind energy sector which is great news for businesses like ours. It enables us to create jobs and invest in our business.”

The company is already quoting on a number of further wind farm projects and hopes to make announcements about a new export market and a new renewables sector project early in 2014.