France-based Alstom has won a service extension contract for the maintenance of the UK’s 317MW Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm.

Statkraft has awarded the new contract to Alstom as an extension to the previous contract for the facility, which was commissioned in September 2012.

Scrira Offshore Energy, a joint venture formed by Statoil and Statkraft, was the developer for the project which is equipped with 88 wind turbines.

Alstom will offer emergency support and preventive maintenance services for one onshore and two offshore substations for the farm.

Under the maintenance contract, the company will be responsible for the disconnectors, 132kV and 33kV gas insulated switchgear, 132kV and 33kV 90 MVA transformers, a 132kV 60 MVAr shunt reactor, substation automation as well as telecommunications systems and protection.

Alstom will also offer 24/7 rapid assistance for the customers.

Alstom Grid vice-president service Jan Masschelin said: “Alstom designed and built the onshore and offshore substations for the wind farm in 2011 and maintained it since then through on demand support.

“Our local team will bring its experience in servicing high-voltage substations, even located in a difficult environment, to ensure optimal asset performance and reliability to our customer.”

Situated off the coast of Norfolk, the wind farm generates renewable power to meet the energy requirements of nearly 220,000 UK households.