A County Durham company has beaten off national and international competition to win a multi million pound contract to supply the next generation of energy efficiency measures.

Consett-based Romag has been awarded the contract to supply North East-based Community Energy Solutions with Solar Photovoltaic systems – a contract worth up to £10.2m.

And that means that Romag can look to move forward expansion plans which could create further employment opportunities.

Boldon-based CES is a non-profit distributing organisation supported by One North East the Regional Development Agency for the North East of England to drive the development of the micro renewables market and provide demonstration opportunities for regional companies.  The installation of photovoltaic panels will play a huge part in the company realising its goals.

PV panels use solar power to generate electricity and offers both financial and energy savings in homes where they are used, particularly since the introduction of the Feed In Tariff, where residents can be financially rewarded for the electricity they generate.

CES aims to supply around 2000 PV systems across the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside over the next two years, in a bid to help communities generate their own electricity from renewable sources.

Romag was one of 13 companies who bid for the contract through the European Tendering Process, competing against local, regional and international businesses.

Chris Leek, Chief Executive of CES said the decision was made on a combination of price and quality, taking into account “manufacturing standards, power warranties and the availability of replacement parts.”

Romag’s bid was evaluated by a team of technical staff from CES and independent consultants, with the company coming out on top.

“The combination of evaluating price and quality enabled the best quality product to be selected at a very competitive price and value for money objectives were achieved,” said Mr Leek.

“We had some excellent and impressive companies apply for this tender but as a North East based organisation ourselves, it is particularly gratifying to see a company from this region not only being able to compete on an international level but to actually win a tender of this nature.”

Kevin Webster, Managing Director for Romag said that this “important contract will play an important part in ensuring Romag’s continuing long term growth strategy within the photovoltaic market.”

Romag produces its own PV panels under its PowerGlaz brand and these units  will be provided as part of the new contract.

“This will further strengthen the PowerGlaz brand with the introduction of the PowerGlaz PV kits into our product range,” said Mr Webster.

One North East Director of Business and Industry, Ian Williams, said: “One North East recognises the significant growth potential of the microrenewable market and we have been developing initiatives over the last few years to encourage growth and help regional companies take advantage of commercial opportunities.

“Romag is an important emerging company and it is fantastic to have witnessed its growth and now be in a position whereby they are able to compete against businesses outside of the North East for such large contracts.”