BayWa r.e. has landed a contract to provide operations and maintenance services to Octopus Investments for 13 of its UK solar farms.

The 13 projects have an operational capacity of 61.1MW and BayWa r.e. is to provide the complete scope of O&M services for the portfolio in what’s being billed as a strengthening of the O&M provider’s relationship with the asset holder.

BayWa r.e. already provides technical and commercial asset management for four UK windfarms owned by Octopus and Ian Draisey, managing director at BayWa r.e. Operation Services, said the additions came at an “exciting time” for the firm’s expansions in the UK.

“We have developed a great working relationship with Octopus over the last years while looking after the technical and commercial asset management of some of its wind farms, and to be entrusted with the O&M on so many of its solar farms is indicative of the strength of our partnership,” Draisey said.

BayWa r.e. will be tasked with all electrical and non-electrical tasks necessary to optimise asset performance.

Matt Setchell, head of energy investments at Octopus, added: “BayWa r.e. is now actively involved in around 20% of our renewable energy portfolio, and we look forward to further developing our fruitful working relationship in the coming year.”