Narec - A Seaton Delaval firm is benefiting from the construction of new facilities at Blyth’s National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec). Steel fabricator Ivanhoe Forge has scooped a...

Local Firm Reaps Benefit Of Narec Construction Project

By Sheena McGeorge | 25/01/12 | In Narec

A Seaton Delaval firm is benefiting from the construction of new facilities at Blyth’s National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec).

Steel fabricator Ivanhoe Forge has scooped a £300,000 contract for the fabrication and installation of staircases, ladders and metal work for main contractor. Shepherd Construction.

Ivanhoe is working alongside Shepherd Construction and civils subcontractor Heyrods Construction as the steel frame buildings are erected. In total 4,660 tonnes of steel will be used during the construction, which is being sourced through Darlington company Cleveland Bridge.

Once complete, the new buildings will house testing facilities for offshore renewable technologies and will enable Narec to reinforce its position as a leading hub for the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. Two of the new facilities will be operational this summer and the tallest facility for the testing of turbine drive trains will open in summer 2013.

Neil Matthias, project manager for Shepherd Construction commented: “Having worked with Ivanhoe Forge on a previous project we knew that the high calibre of their work would be exactly what we were looking for in the delivery of these unique structures.”

Phil Turner, managing director for Ivanhoe Forge added: "Having worked with Shepherd Construction for over 25 years on various projects throughout the UK from Livingston to Slough, it is great to work on a project that is only five miles from our base.

“Knowing the Shepherd Construction team, and having an insight into their previous projects has been a great advantage in tackling the challenges that occur with such a cutting edge contract.

”Tony Quinn, Director of Major Assets and Projects at Narec said: “We are making a £100m investment into three new facilities in Blyth which are differentiated from other facilities from across the world by their unique offering and sheer scale. It is good to see that businesses from the local area are playing an important role and are benefiting from the development.”

The project is supported by government, One North East and the European Regional Development Fund 2007-13.  In July 2009, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) granted funding of £10 million for Project Nautilus with £6.4 million from ERDF.