Leading Independent Turbine Specialist Hunts for Further Growth

“We’ve expanded our headcount by 15%,” says Alba Power MD Neil Mckenzie, talking about the ongoing growth in the business over the past year.

Alba Power, headquartered in Aberdeen (with offices in the US and Canada), is the leading global independent repair and refurbishment specialist for aeroderivative/industrial gas turbines, power turbines and marine tyne turbines, controls, and rotating equipment. Able to provide support for a range of industrial engines including RB211, Pratt & Whitney, Olympus, Avon, Spey, Tyne and Power Turbines, Alba Power has works with clients to find the best solution. field service, tooling supply and rental, inspection, repair, and overhaul is delivered according to ISO quality standards.

Established in 2000, the company is now widely recognised as an industry leader with an unrivalled team. Recognition of Alba Power’s industry leading status came in 2019 when the company was acquired by the global Sulzer Group, offering access to international expertise and supply chains to support an ever-increasing global client-base.

“It’s business as usual, we’re still extremely busy and that’s nice to see,” Mckenzie tells Energy Focus.

BIG NEW CONTRACTS

Gas turbines remain a prominent part of the energy generation and supply mix, and Alba Power has sold over 5,200 to more than 500 customers across in excess of 80 countries, accumulating well over 145 million hours of operation.

But Mckenzie says that two new contracts which should be finalised imminently will make up some of the biggest in the company’s history.

“We do still have the standard overhauls that are coming through – that is where we thrive and where customers know they will get world-class service,” he says. “We have also just won a large contract with a major transport provider in the UK, and we are expecting to finalise details with a significant foreign navy soon. It’s all package refurbishment for big power generation projects and that is something that excites us.”

To gain such contracts is proof of the reputation held within Alba Power, and Mckenzie highlights a long-held vision for brilliance as the power than runs through the business.

“Our global customer base has been built up through industry track record, exceptional customer relationships and customer referrals, as a result of our continued focus on flexibility and 24-hour service provision. This is achieved through our commitment to pursue operational initiatives that maximise the availability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of its gas turbine support operations, including exchange and lease options.”

INNOVATION

In November 2022, a research report from Metro Dynamics labelled the UK engineering sector as a ‘hotbed of innovation’, generating around £645 billion and supporting more than eight million jobs (with Aberdeen a particular hotspot).

Alba Power has claimed a Scottish Export Award, SPE Offshore Achievement Award, Manufacturer of the Year Award, alongside many more accolades. The team’s QHSE system has resulted in zero safety or integrity issues over the years. Clearly, engineering here is a major strength.

Aiming to be a part of the energy transition, the company has engineered a unique dry low emission (DLE) offering to reduce NOx releases from gas turbine exhausts. Reducing combustion temperature allows NOx emission to be reduced, and also mitigates the need for water or steam.

“Jet engines are typically not very green,” admits Mckenzie, “but we have developed a DLE modification which cuts down the pollution a lot. We have tested that, and we are working to roll that out into production by the end of the year.”

To undertake research and development and innovation of this nature, Alba Power keeps a strong supply chain, working only with proven, reliable partners that can live up to the reality of delivering world-class product and service.

On the fuel system side, Alba Partners with Score Group for a range of industrial services. Also based in Aberdeen, Score is conveniently located to collaborate with Alba Power and Mckenzie is highly complementary of the relationship between the pair.

“They’re great partners,” he says. “They supply us with accessories, parts, and knowledge, and they do overhaul contracting with fuel systems. We work very closely with them and it’s all based on quality.”

New team members have been added to ensure transparency and quality throughout the supply chain, and new management and engineering staff have joined the business to help as it grows with new contracts.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

New geographies are also on the radar for Mckenzie as he looks to cement Alba Power as an international engineering brand. “We are still growing our marketplace, we are visiting many countries – we have a lot planned for this year,” he says.

“We want to continue our expansion and grow into new markets that we haven’t been in before. Obviously, the impact from the war does affect us. We can’t deal with Russia now, but there are many opportunities out there. We are very interested in India, and the core focus is to continue our expansion.”

The key to everything that Alba Power does is its independence. “That is what makes us different,” says Mckenzie. Free from interference from OEMs, the company can create its own strategies with the support of the Sulzer Group. What will always remain is an open and honest culture and a responsive nature that is built on solving problems for the customer through excellence. “That is very important for us,” he adds.

In the short, medium, and long-term future, the energy mix around the world is built on high-quality functioning turbines. As long as this is the case, Alba Power will keep the blades turning and will remain critical in the life of its clients – a robust position to hold.

Score Group’s Energy division is a leading global provider of complex gas turbine accessory and fuel system repair services and is a premier manufacturer of fuel nozzles and accessories. Its headquarters in Aberdeen boast the largest operational aero derivative engine test cell in the UK.

After investing in new technology and implementing the latest regeneration and upgrades to its test cell, the team provide testing capabilities for a multitude of international clients.

Current work involves the full performance tests of Avon (SGT-A20) and RB211 (SGT-A35) engines with the facility offering the flexibility to test a range of additional aero derivative and industrial engines, such as the LM2500, LM1600, TB5400 and RR Olympus to name a few.

At the facility’s core, the precision calibrated test bed is capable of testing industrial gas turbines up to 60MW on both liquid or gas fuel. The facility is also fitted with sophisticated emissions monitoring equipment enabling a real time comparison against legislative requirements such as ISO 11042-1.

Score has carried out emissions testing for a number of worldwide research institutes and tests can be streamed online, providing web-based remote access is available.

The company also has the ability to service and repair engines through its channel partners and test various gas turbines, with the aim to minimise customers’ downtime, and provide cost effective, bespoke solutions for industrial gas turbines.

To complement these services Score provides spare parts for various gas turbine applications and supplies a range of gas turbine accessories including actuators, fuel nozzles, lubrication and scavenge pumps, fuel metering valves and bleed valves.

With a series of OEM approvals, capabilities include the manufacture of fuel nozzles, the repair /overhaul of aero derivative engine fuel systems and accessories, on-site support and field services.
The company’s engine test facility has been providing clients in the global power generation and oil and gas industries with a technologically advanced dual fuel gas turbine facility, for more than 20 years.

For more information, contact scoreenergysales@score-group.com