Maximising energy generation and driving sustainability with innovative spare parts management

When equipment is offline due to spare parts delays, energy generation suffers. Effective spares management can mean the difference between saving millions in potential revenue or losing months of uptime. RES maintains a portfolio of 43GW of renewable assets across more than 1,300 facilities, so we know that every minute counts. That’s why we’ve pioneered a sophisticated parts management system designed to keep the projects we manage operating at full capacity.

One of the biggest causes of downtime in solar assets is inverter failure. These complex components often have the longest lead times for replacement, which can result in months of lost generation. By strategically working with leading solar and BESS OEMs, we are able to guarantee stock levels and fast dispatch times. Our solutions-orientated approach has seen us take ownership of over 1,000 critical spare parts for a customer, ensuring we could deliver them on-demand within a guaranteed timeframe. This proactive strategy has avoided costly delays for the customer.

Spare parts management doesn’t stop at logistics. By conducting detailed reliability studies across solar portfolios, RES is able to identify the key components that need to be managed to optimise plant performance. A seemingly small €5 part can be the difference between smooth operation and a costly failure. By incorporating diagnostic testing into maintenance strategies, we can systematically assess risks, helping our customers reduce downtime and avoid unnecessary spending on low-priority parts. For one customer, this approach led to a 12% performance improvement across a portfolio of eight solar farms.

Sustainability also plays a growing role in strengthening the operations of solar projects and addressing supply chain challenges. As part of our global effort to expand repair and refurbishment capabilities, we’re growing our services across North America, Latin America and Northern Europe to support asset owners with local, lower-carbon solutions. For instance, in Albacete, Spain, we’ve established a state-of-the-art repair workshop where components for solar and wind assets are refurbished rather than replaced. This repair facility has already given a second life to over 18,000 parts, providing operators with a greener, cost-effective alternative to buying new components. The repair process reduces emissions, extends component lifespans, and lowers costs, proving that innovation in maintenance is a win for both the planet and our customers’ bottom lines.

By combining this repair capability with our advanced spares management system, we offer our customers the security of knowing their assets are in capable hands. Whether it’s having a critical component delivered within 24 hours or opting for a refurbished part that cuts costs and reduces waste, we’re constantly looking for ways to enhance the performance and sustainability of renewable assets.

Our commitment to improving the efficiency of renewable energy assets isn’t just about keeping them online. It’s about creating a future where energy is not only green but also affordable and reliable. Through proactive maintenance, circular economy solutions, and cutting-edge technology, RES is leading the way in optimising solar and wind assets for a cleaner, more sustainable world.