“Huge growth potential:” UK renewables outfit snaps up Australian wind contractor

Canberra headquartered wind energy EPC provider ARC Wind announced late last week that it had been acquired by Scottish renewable energy company Aurora Energy Services.

As one of Australia’s leading providers of construction, engineering, installation, and commissioning services to the renewables sector, ARC Wind currently employs more than 250 staff and has provided EPC services to projects around Australia.

Aurora plans to treble revenues and staff over the next five years by cross-selling existing wind turbine repair capabilities as well as offering lifecycle maintenance services such as repowering, gearbox and turbine overhauls, and blade repair to the Australian wind sector.

“There is huge growth potential in the Australian wind energy sector with both federal and state governments committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and to reduce emissions by 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030,” said Niall Conlon, director of Aurora Energy Services.

“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 – making it an ideal fit with Aurora’s ambitions to be a global provider of renewable energy services.

“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, to help drive forward Australia’s nascent renewable wind industry.”

ARC Wind’s existing management team and owner Andrew Lindsell will remain with the new business and will be backed by Aurora director and co-founder Niall Conlon, who has a successful track record in the Australian energy sector through his roles as CEO of Resource Services Group and previously as country director of EnerMech.

“We were impressed with Aurora’s strong credentials in emerging renewable energy markets, and 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,” said Andrew Lindsell, ARC Wind chief executive officer.  

“This deal provides ARC Wind with the tools we need to reach our full potential.”

Aurora Energy Services acquisition of ARC Wind marks its second significant international acquisition after it acquired Houston-based Cotech Group in October 2023, a company providing rope and non-rope access inspection, blade repair, and maintenance services to the US onshore and offshore wind sector.