Choosing the right Operations and Maintenance (O&M) partner can make or break your renewable asset’s performance. By investing in the right partner, you ensure greater reliability, maximise asset availability, and reduce costly unplanned maintenance—safeguarding your asset’s long-term success.

When managing renewable energy assets, choosing the right O&M partner can be the key to maximising availability, reliability and profitability. Whether it’s a wind or solar farm or a grid-scale battery, the decisions you make about asset maintenance define the success of your investment. 

Stanwell Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo) is here to help you make informed decisions, offering transparent, collaborative, and technically superior support. A wholly owned subsidiary of Stanwell Corporation, one of Australia’s most reliable and efficient energy generators, SAMCo draws on more than 40 years of experience in operating and maintaining complex power generation sites. 

Stanwell has maintained assets since the first unit of Tarong Power Station was commissioned in 1984, and in 2023/24, it was the most reliable generator in Queensland – an impressive feat given that its two major sites are 30 and 40 years old, respectively.

Leading SAMCo’s efforts is Steve Clark, General Manager Renewable Maintenance Services, with decades of experience in power generation spanning both the conventional and renewable energy sectors. His expertise includes managing wind, solar, and pumped hydro storage sites, as well as overseeing coal-fired facilities and gas turbine power plants. With this depth of experience, SAMCo ensures that renewable assets are supported by world-class operational excellence.

"The purpose of SAMCo is ultimately to provide O&M services that embody Stanwell’s values,” Steve says. “We care deeply about the long-term integrity of every asset we manage; we adapt to meet the unique needs of each client and project; and we deliver these services with the mindset of an asset owner, ensuring reliability and performance at every stage."

Here’s what Steve says to look for in an O&M partner to ensure long-term success.

Safety first, always

Safety is a fundamental priority for renewable energy projects. O&M partners must be committed to ensuring that safety protocols are strictly followed, protecting both personnel and the asset from potential risks.

With decades of experience managing complex energy assets, SAMCo applies the same rigorous safety standards to renewable energy projects as it does to its own power generation assets. 

“We take safety very seriously, and that commitment is embedded in everything we do,” Steve says. “Our approach to safety includes continuous training for our teams, adherence to national and international safety standards, and the use of best-in-class safety equipment.”

SAMCo’s triple certification in ISO standards for Quality, Health & Safety, and Environmental Management ensures that every aspect of your project is managed with safety as the top priority. This means compliance with the highest safety standards, protection of personnel, and safeguarding the environment in which you operate.

“SAMCo’s success is built on the strength of our people,” Steve says. “Their skills, creativity, dedication, and expertise are what drive our business forward, and we care deeply about their health, safety, and wellbeing.”

End-to-end support 

Successful renewable energy projects don’t just need a partner to handle operations and maintenance after commissioning – they can benefit from O&M guidance from the outset. An effective O&M partner can assist with feasibility studies, provide insights during construction, and act as a trusted advisor throughout the project’s lifecycle. This is key to ensuring your asset is designed for long-term performance.

SAMCo delivers exactly that. Stanwell, Queensland’s largest power generator, has decades of experience as both an asset owner and operator/maintainer, and SAMCo brings this expertise directly to renewable energy projects. 

“We know what asset owners need because we’ve been in their shoes,” says Steve Clark, SAMCo’s General Manager Renewable Maintenance Services. “When we O&M a site, we act like an owner, representing our clients’ interests to ensure their investment delivers expected returns.”

From the earliest stages of development, SAMCo can review all aspects of project construction through the lens of O&M best practices. “If it’s not right during the design and build phase, there’s a world of pain down the line,” Steve notes. “We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen.” 

This approach ensures that assets are designed and built with efficiency, reliability and long-term performance in mind. “Simple design tweaks can dramatically improve the maintainability of a site in the long term,” Steve adds. 

SAMCo offers a comprehensive asset maintenance approach, providing ongoing support to maximise your asset’s performance and longevity over the long term – not just the term of its O&M contract. “We can work with you throughout the full life of the project,” Steve says, “ensuring every stage is optimised to deliver the best possible results – from design to decommissioning at the end of the site’s life.”

Technical expertise

In a competitive renewable energy landscape, having an O&M partner with technical expertise and a proven track record is essential. The right O&M partner brings specialised knowledge to troubleshoot complex issues, implement advanced solutions, and enhance operational efficiency.

SAMCo is built on the foundation of Stanwell Corporation’s decades-long track record of excellence in maintaining complex energy assets.  SAMCo leverages this wealth of maintenance and engineering expertise to ensure that renewable energy assets are optimised for the long term – minimising unplanned maintenance, maximising availability, and ultimately protecting your investment.

“We bring the same high standards of safety, reliability, and performance that we apply to our own assets,” Steve says. “Our highly skilled team ensures that renewable energy assets consistently operate at peak efficiency. With a deep understanding of complex systems, we identify and address issues with precision, safeguarding the asset's performance and optimising its operational lifespan.”  

Stanwell’s proven expertise in maintaining complex thermal power stations over the past four decades ensures that SAMCo is equipped to meet the demands of renewable energy projects. With established systems, skilled personnel, and engineering excellence, SAMCo sets a new benchmark for operations and maintenance in Australia’s clean energy industry.

A proactive approach

Proactive management of renewable energy assets is key to ensuring their long-term success. To get the most out of your investment, it’s not enough to simply react to issues as they arise – your O&M partner should anticipate challenges and plan for every stage of the asset’s lifecycle, including decommissioning.

“One of the biggest issues we see in the O&M space is providers who only focus on what happens during the term of the contract,” Steve says. “There are many reasons why this might happen – it might be the result of a fixed-price contracting arrangement; asset owners opting for the cheapest contract; or a simple lack of knowledge about what good, long-term O&M practices should look like. Whatever the case, there’s a tendency to push problems down the line, making it the next O&M provider’s issue. 

“At SAMCo, we don’t work that way. We bring transparency and collaboration to every project, ensuring asset owners have a clear understanding of their asset’s current condition and future needs. Instead of deferring problems to avoid costs, we address them head-on, working with our clients to maintain the asset for the long term, not just for the duration of our contract. This approach builds trust and ensures there are no surprises when it comes to the asset’s ongoing performance.”

SAMCo takes a forward-looking approach to asset maintenance, ensuring that every phase of the asset’s lifecycle is carefully planned and executed. This includes early preparation for decommissioning, an often-overlooked aspect of asset maintenance that, if neglected, can lead to unexpected costs and logistical challenges later on. By incorporating decommissioning into the asset life plan from the outset, SAMCo ensures smooth transitions when assets reach the end of their operational life.

Proactive maintenance strategies, such as predictive diagnostics and condition monitoring, further ensure that assets operate at maximum efficiency. SAMCo’s hands-on approach means fewer unexpected breakdowns, longer asset lifespans, and lower overall costs for clients.

Flexibility

Renewable energy projects require flexibility, especially when dealing with evolving market conditions, unexpected challenges, and changes in operational needs. Asset owners and developers need an O&M partner that’s agile, accommodating, and capable of managing these fluctuations without causing disruption or unnecessary costs.

SAMCo understands the importance of being flexible and collaborative. “We have a dedicated Contract Delivery Lead to ensure we meet all of our contractual obligations throughout the life of the project,” Steve says, “but we also recognise that circumstances change. When that happens, we work collaboratively with clients to find practical, cost-effective solutions. It’s about keeping the project on track and delivering long-term success.”

SAMCo’s team is committed to finding creative solutions, offering adaptable services that meet the specific needs of each client and project as they arise.

A local presence 

Having an O&M partner with a strong local presence is critical for the success of renewable energy assets. It’s not just about understanding the technical aspects of the project – it’s about having a dedicated, on-site team who can manage risk, solve problems quickly, and engage with the community. That’s why competent, experienced site managers who are embedded in the local environment and fully equipped to respond to any issues that arise are invaluable. 

SAMCo’s teams are embedded in Queensland communities, providing not only technical expertise but also the familiarity and trust that come with living and working in the region. “Having the right technical people on-site makes all the difference,” Steve says. “It minimises the need for remote interventions, ensuring that issues are addressed swiftly, without the delays caused by needing to bring in external support.”

Asset owners need an O&M partner that acts as their eyes and ears on the ground, taking ownership of day-to-day operations and ensuring high performance at all times. SAMCo’s local workforce embodies this approach, offering immediate response times, comprehensive knowledge of site-specific challenges, and an ongoing commitment to the success of the project.

A deep understanding of the regulatory landscape

Understanding and navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape is a significant challenge for many renewable energy projects. Complex laws governing the National Electricity Market (NEM), electrical safety and power purchase agreements can make compliance difficult, and failing to meet these standards can result in costly delays or penalties.

SAMCo brings an unparalleled knowledge of power generation regulations and compliance requirements to the table, and can help asset owners to stay ahead of regulatory changes, ensuring projects run smoothly and avoid costly compliance issues. 

“We understand regulatory frameworks from a generator’s perspective,” Steve says, “which means we can offer asset owners critical support on compliance with legislation like the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, and any electrical safety regulations that might impact them.” 

Securing a sustainable future together 

Choosing the right O&M partner is one of the most critical decisions a renewable asset owner can make. SAMCo offers more than technical expertise – we’re a partner fully committed to the long-term success of your asset, providing hands-on support and strategic oversight throughout every stage of its lifecycle.

Our comprehensive support, proven technical capabilities, flexible approach, and unwavering commitment to safety ensure your renewable asset continues to operate at peak performance. From early feasibility assessments through proactive maintenance and, eventually, decommissioning, SAMCo is there every step of the way, helping you navigate challenges, optimise efficiency, and maximise returns.

With SAMCo, you’re not just securing an O&M provider – you’re building a partnership focused on protecting your investment and delivering sustainable outcomes for years to come.