Renewables consultancy Galetech Group has acquired Northern Ireland-based Precision Gear Company (PGC) from Macrete Ireland.
PGC specialise in the international collection, maintenance and refurbishment of gearboxes, proven to be the most expensive component in a turbine, as well as the most difficult and complex part to handle and fix.
Following the deal, Optigear will continue to serve clients in the European and UK wind, rail, marine, and mining sectors, working in collaboration with another Galetech Group company, Optinergy.
Optinergy is one of Ireland’s leading independently owned operation and maintenance (O&M) service provider to the renewable industry.
This combination of specialists will provide clients access to an inventory of multi brand gearbox & components, in addition to their repair & restoration service, Galetech said.
Optigear will also offer the management and climate-controlled storage of these parts and the capacity to deliver their turnkey or ‘tower ready’ installation.
This new service, when combined with parts exchange, will result in reduced down time for windfarm operators, ensuring that renewable energy production is stable and efficient, the company added.
Galetech Group now have plans to invest around €5m in a state-of-the-art Renewable Components Hub.
This facility will be the first of its kind in Ireland or the UK, according to the company.
It will allow for the real-time replacement of critical components of renewable energy infrastructure, combined with solutions for their analysis, optimisation, and testing.
The collaboration between Optigear and Optinergy, as well as the planned development of a Renewable Components Hub, has the potential to futureproof not just the Irish renewable energy space but also impact the wider European market.
The creation of this one-stop-solution will for the first time provide a centrally located, repair, refurbishment, and R&D supply chain.
Similar services were previously only available through multiple partners, who were located across continental Europe, according to Galetech.
Its chief executive Darren Sherry said: “The acquisition of this business reinforces our commitment to providing the highest quality service to our clients & partners; in the short term Optigear will help customers to extend the lives of their critical components keeping wind turbines online for longer than would otherwise be possible.
“In the medium term our investment in new test facility will bring the quality to a level only seen with OEM’s and not currently available on the Island of Ireland – with the growth of turbine scale we see this research and test facility as a key element to reduce downtime for our customers.”
Director of PGC and Macrete Ireland Richard Hogg said: “Over the years we have grown PGC and we are proud of what we have achieved.
“This sale to Optinergy will allow us to return to our roots in the precast concrete sector.
“We are very familiar with Optinergy, and PGC’s offering will complement the company very well.
“We look forward to seeing what Optigear can achieve.”