3R expecting turnover to soar on back of turbine installation

RENEWABLES company 3R Energy Solutions has seen its turnover power up after installing its first wind turbines this year.

The company, which has offices in Uphall, West Lothian, and a visitor centre near Kinross, specialises in medium scale renewable energy projects on farms and industrial estates.

In its first two years of operation, it had sales of just £40,000 and £108,000, mostly from consultancy work as its projects worked through the planning system and it negotiated agreements to link its wind farms to the grid.

This year the group’s first projects have been built, and director David Ireland says 3R should see turnover leap to around £5.4 million. The company, which was set up with funding from its four main directors and has used its early consultancy income to keep going until projects were shovel ready, now employs 11 staff in addition to the directors.

The firm has an agreement with US firm Northern Power to distribute its 100KW turbine, which was designed for use in Alaska and 3R says is ideal for use on Scottish farms. At under just 50 metres in height, it falls within the smaller category of development in planning terms. It has already installed turbines on eight sites, including four which are part of its own portfolio. It expects to have installed 20 turbines for itself and clients by the end of its financial year in March.

Ireland said: “Going forwards, maintenance of wind turbines – not just ours but others as well – will be a growth area.

He said the turbines are proving popular as a way for farmers to diversify.