Member Article

Global energy consultancy expands Tyneside hub

A GLOBAL energy consultancy has strengthened its UK team after expanding its Tyneside hub.

PSC is a specialist consulting firm to the electricity industry delivering planning, analysis, development, and strategic advisory services. The company is headquartered in the US and has 240 employees around the world, servicing clients in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the UK.

The UK team has offices in Stafford, Warwick and Newcastle and over the past two years has grown its Tyneside contingent from 13 to 18, prompting its move into new offices.

As part of a wider European team, the Newcastle office supports clients ranging from large UK and European utilities to renewable energy developers with global footprints in the offshore wind, solar PV and battery energy storage sectors.

The company’s growth has been partially through an increased interest in reducing carbon emissions around the world – and through acquisition. In January 2020, PSC acquired Gridconnect, an Irish company specialising in renewable power generation advice, and then members of engineering company Ramboll’s power system department joined the following month.

Newcastle-based Gary Landels, the company’s General Manager, Regulation, Planning and Analysis, said: “With global targets to reduce carbon emissions we have seen an explosion of activity in the sector and PSC’s services are key to supporting clients as they strive to meet those targets.

“We’ve benefitted from being recognised as experts in the electricity industry providing high-quality knowledge and services.

“Our European clients include EirGrid, National Grid, SSE, WPD, Diamond Transmission, TenneT, Ørsted and many other developers as well as clients in the Middle East and Asia.” Gary explained why he and PSC had chosen Hoults Yard for its expansion: “I loved feel and the vibe around the Yard when I first looked into it as a possible location. The layout felt spacious and modern - but with a relaxed, less corporate feel.

“There’s also an interesting mix of businesses in the Yard, which I think helps us to look at ourselves differently, keeping us on our toes with regards to business trends such as the new hybrid working environment.”

Laura Goldston. Manager at HyHubs which owns and runs Hoults Yard, said: “PSC is following two trends we’re experiencing. Firstly, the company joins a growing band of Yard clients working in the energy and renewables sector, and secondly its working a flexible, hybrid model which we’re only too happy to help with and advise on.”

PSC was founded in New Zealand by Tony Armstrong, Robyn Armstrong and Dr Ranil de Silva who led the company from 1995 until 2017, when Alex Body, its current CEO, facilitated an ownership transition. It is independently operated and more than 65 per cent employee-owned.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hoults Yard .