SHERINGHAM SHOAL

Norfolk based wind farm operator Scira Offshore Energy has confirmed the award of a three year contract effective 1 January 2013 for operational services for Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm to Great Yarmouth-based company, 3sun Group.

Scira's Colin Galer with 3sun's Group Managing Director Graham Hacon at the recent opening of 3sun's new facility in Great Yarmouth.

3sun Group specialises in delivering a comprehensive range of products and services to the oil and gas, marine and renewable sectors, specifically control and instrumentation products and services along with specialist equipment for inspection capabilities.

The Group will provide two specific services for the Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm. Firstly, a statutory certification and inspection service for all onshore and offshore equipment of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, including the 88 wind turbines, two offshore substations and the onshore substation at Salle near Cawston. Secondly the provision of general engineering services including design, supporting calculations, production of engineering documentation, fabrication, painting, mechanical and electrical installation/assembly and retro-fit works.

Scira's General Manager Einar Strømsvåg said that he was delighted to confirm the award of this important contract: "Now that the construction of the Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm is complete, and Scira assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the plant, we need to ensure that we have a supply chain which can support the technical integrity of our wind farm."

"3sun Group is a locally based company with a high level of competence, experience and expertise, and a strong focus on providing local employment opportunities."

Having recently launched its new, larger Great Yarmouth Headquarters following an investment of £500,000 into the facility, Graham Hacon, Managing Director of 3sun Group, said: "Securing this contract from Scira is great news and sees us ending a very strong year on a high. We look forwarding to commencing the work and strengthening our relationship with Scira by providing our well-qualified technicians, our high quality service and to completing the contract to schedule."

"I am delighted that Scira has chosen 3sun Group, a local company, and are honouring the local supply chain in this way. We recently launched our new, larger Great Yarmouth Headquarters, following a £500K investment, and have pledged to continue to support the local economy and employment in the region. We aim to recruit at least 12 people in Great Yarmouth by the end of the year, and as we secure more contracts on and offshore the UK and across the world we will continue to recruit," he continued.

Scira's Colin Galer, a Mechanical Engineer in the Operation and Maintenance Department, will coordinate the service provision from 3sun Group, and was very pleased to attend the recent opening of the Group's new premises in Great Yarmouth: "I'm really looking forward to working with the team at 3sun, and am confident that this contract will assist Scira in achieving our goals of having safe, reliable and 100% compliant work equipment, at all locations".