Extension to Whitelee will increase generating capacity by 200MW

ScottishPower Renewables has awarded a joint venture consisting of John Sisk & Son Ltd and Roadbridge (Sisk Roadbridge JV), a contract to increase generating capacity at Whitelee Windfarm.

Whitelee, in East Renfrewshire, is already Europe’s largest onshore windfarm and will receive a boost of more than 200MW with the additional 75 turbines that are to be installed. This extra generating capacity will be connected to the National Grid in 2012.

Starting immediately, the work will include the construction of access roads, substation and control buildings, and the wind turbine generator bases, which will be fitted with turbines by Alstom. A total of 1 million m3 of rock will need to be extracted during the work and the deep peat soil structure on Eaglesham Moor will provide challenging conditions.

Mark McGreevy, Director of Civils, John Sisk & Son commented:

“This is a significant contract win for John Sisk & Son and its JV partner Roadbridge as it continues to build its presence as a key player in the UK energy infrastructure industry. We are delighted to support ScottishPower Renewables and help Scotland become a significant generator of renewable energy and look forward to working with local suppliers on this project.”

Whitelee Windfarm was opened in 2008 and covers 55 sq km of Eaglesham Moor, near Glasgow. It currently has 140 turbines which can generate 322MW of electricity, enough to power 180,000 homes.

Stuart Mason, ScottishPower Renewables’ Construction Director said: “SPR is delighted to be working with John Sisk and Son and Roadbridge on this extremely important project.

As Europe’s largest windfarm, Whitelee is a shining example of how responsible development can produce fantastic results and we look forward to reaching our goal of increasing its contribution to the UK’s renewable energy targets.”

John Sisk & Son is one of the largest construction groups in the UK and Ireland, and Roadbridge is one of the largest civil engineering contractors.  The two companies make a strong combination and the joint venture has already delivered over £1bn worth of work to date.

John Sisk & Son was recently awarded the Fullabrook Wind Farm project for Devon Wind Power, which will provide clean energy for 30 per cent of North Devon's total energy consumption. Other John Sisk & Son energy projects in the UK include the civil engineering works on the CCGT power station at Pembroke and a Solid Recovered Fuel Thermal Power Station for Ineos Fluor at Runcorn. Roadbridge are currently working on a large gas terminal project in northern Scotland and are also working on other motorway schemes with John Sisk & Son in the UK.

- ENDS -

About SISK Group

SISK Group is a large diverse Irish owned family business with operations in Ireland, the UK, Poland Belgium and the United Arab Emirates. SISK Group has historically had a large construction focus, through its subsidiary John Sisk & Son with significant construction activities in both Ireland and the UK. Its UK business is currently experiencing significant growth by building on its presence in that market for the last 25 years and leveraging on its Irish companies skills and scale developed over the last 150 years. SISK Group currently employs approximately eight hundred people in the U.K. through its construction and healthcare activities.

John Sisk & Son was founded in Ireland in 1859 and is part of the SISK Group. In Britain, John Sisk & Son has revenues of over £250 million and a staff of 450 people across its 9 regions;

• South (St. Albans and Head Office for the UK)
• Midlands (Birmingham)
• West (Reading and Bristol)
• North West (Manchester)
• Scotland (Glasgow)
• Wales (Cardiff) SRB JV office
• Major Projects Group (National – Head Office St. Albans)
• Civil Engineering (National – Head Office Birmingham)
• Rail (National – Head Office Bristol)

John Sisk & Son works throughout England, Wales & Scotland, offering expertise in a range of specialist sectors including:

Hotel & Leisure; Commercial; Retail; Residential apartments; Industrial; Process Industries; Public works; Rail; Civils; Major Projects; Energy.

John Sisk & Son has acquired a wealth of UK experience in these sectors. Additionally, if required, it can use the full resources and financial strength of the SISK Group to deploy the skilled staff needed for specific projects. Together they form one of Europe’s leading contractors.

SISK Group also owns and manages a diversified portfolio of activities in distribution, healthcare and construction related businesses.

The Sisk Group consists of twelve operating companies including John Sisk & Son Limited (Ireland); John Sisk & Son Limited (UK);  John Sisk & Son Ltd (International); Cardiac Services; Korine Property Partners; M.E.D. Surgical; Origo Distribution; Stone Developments;  Synapse Medical;  Tekno Surgical;  Williaam Cox; & Eschmann.