A NORTH-East renewable energy firm is powering ahead in its plans for growth by moving to bigger offices and increasing its number of apprentices to further its commitment to the wider community.

Newton Aycliffe-based Revolution Power, established in January 2006, has moved to a bigger office to accommodate its expanding workforce, which includes three apprentices with plans to recruit a forth.

They are Stuart Hackett, a plumbing apprentice from Newton Aycliffe, second-year electrical apprentice Ross Cleave from Middlesbrough and Claire Wier, a second-year sales administration apprentice from Aycliffe Village. In addition to these appointments, Lois Prest, who joined as a second-year apprentice back in early 2010, has now been promoted to office supervisor.

Revolution Power managing director Wayne Richardson is now looking to appoint an additional apprentice in business administration and aims to have one apprentice for each of his full-time staff members.

Having taken on what will be five appointments in the last year alone, Revolution Power’s workforce now consists of approximately 16 staff members, but the company’s new office means that up to 30 staff members can be accommodated in total, both office and field-based.

The company’s growth has been fuelled after its successful completion of major projects both nationally and regionally. It has recently been involved with the new build at Tresham College in Corby, Northamptonshire, by adding 38.5kW solar Photo Voltaic (PV) panels to generate the building’s power.

Prior to this, Revolution Power also completed work on the Durham University Science Department and the Newbiggin Maritime Centre in Northumberland. All of these projects have led Revolution Power to reach well over the 200kW mark of installed solar Photo Voltaic (PV) installations.

The company has also grown through word-of-mouth referrals which arise from its commitment to innovation, values, morals and service.

Mr Richardson said: “These commitments are important to us as we are not just in it for the quick buck, but in it for the long haul. We intend to build a friendly, family-run business which does and will continue to support all of our installations throughout their life time, giving peace of mind to our clients.

"It’s been really exciting to build a team of dedicated staff and apprentices here at Revolution Power, and bringing in apprentices has had a positive and lasting effect on the company.

“At a time when concerns about climate change are growing, I have been committed to training the next generation of renewable energy installers so that Revolution Power can continue to make business and private properties as environmentally friendly as possible.

“Our new warehouse also provides a lot of room to enable us to work on our projects more efficiently, and we’ll also be looking at adding more renewable energy sources to our own office, too.”

Revolution Power provides renewable energy products and services for domestic, commercial, community, educational and agricultural projects.