Push Energy and PS Renewables have formally merged their UK-facing operations and maintenance (O&M) business units, creating a new joint venture dubbed PSH Operations.

The decision to merge was reached, the companies said, having identified the “obvious potential” in targeting growth in the highly competitive O&M space as a single outfit. PS and Push’ respective O&M geographies also suited, with Push based in Essex and PS in Berkshire.

The combined entity will manage nearly 600MW of ground-mount solar in the UK, making it one of the largest managed portfolios in the country, as well as 114MW of peaking gas plants and a 7MW battery storage facility.

Nicola Waters, the former chief operating officer at Primrose Solar who joined Push Energy earlier this year, has been named managing director at PSH Operations and paid testament to PS Renewables’ experience in O&M.

“In my previous role as the COO of a major asset owner, PS Renewables was my most trusted and capable O&M provider. O&M needs to change and PSH Operations can be a leader in its field, with truly national reach and scale. 

“Customers want the basics done well, but increasingly they want value-adding services and aligned incentives to ensure that asset availability and performance are top priorities.  Innovation and creative thinking will be a key differentiator between O&M providers, and will be a particular strength of this new venture,” she said.

Despite the O&M merger, both PS and Push will operate other facets of their respective businesses independently. PS Renewables will retain its focus on international growth having recently connected its first solar farm in the US, while Push Energy is working on various gas peaker plants and examining prospects for subsidy-free solar.

Matt Hazell, commercial director at PS Renewables, said: “We’re so pleased to be working with the team at Push Energy. Both companies saw a clear divide opening up in the marketplace between those O&M companies that invest in training and using skilled in-house teams and those which simply sub-contract O&M services to third parties.  This new merger will see PSH using highly skilled, in-house staff to ensure our customers get the service they deserve.”