GEG Capital Expands Energy Infrastructure and High-Voltage Commissioning Capabilities with Acquisition of APS

Inverness-based investment group, GEG Capital, has strengthened its presence in the power and utilities infrastructure sector with the acquisition of St Helens-based high-voltage (HV) cable installation and jointing specialist, Approved Power Services Ltd. (APS). Following GEG Capital’s purchase of 100% of the equity in APS from owner Paul Oakes, the existing management team—including Managing Director, Gerry Donnelly—will remain in place, with all current staff retained.

With ambitious growth plans, APS is set to embark on a major recruitment drive, aiming to double its workforce within the next year. The acquisition will also position APS to play a leading role in high-voltage commissioning for onshore and offshore wind farms, further expanding its reach in the renewable energy sector.

Joining Group Means Growth & Opportunity

The acquisition of APS enhances GEG Capital’s comprehensive energy infrastructure capability, covering planning and design, HV cable laying and jointing, substation and access infrastructure construction, and now - high-voltage commissioning for wind energy projects. This strategic addition opens new doors for the North West of England-based APS, equipping it with the platform to take on larger-scale projects.

APS will now be positioned to bid directly for high-value framework contracts with major network provider clients.

APS Owner, Paul Oakes, commented:

“We are delighted to join the GEG Capital portfolio. Not only will we immediately benefit from the opportunities created by collaborating closely with fellow group companies, but being part of a larger group will allow us to take APS to the next level. Our expanded benefit from the larger group structure will enable us to bid directly for major framework contracts with the network providers we already have excellent long-term relationships with.

“We look forward to working closely with the leadership team at GEG Capital and leveraging their established management, finance systems, and extensive experience in scaling businesses like ours.”

APS Managing Director, Gerry Donnelly, added:

“The multi-disciplinary nature of our combined services will offer an immediate benefit to our client base. The group scale will allow us to enter new markets, take on larger contracts, and significantly expand our high-voltage commissioning services for onshore and offshore wind projects.

“Additionally, our recruitment drive will support this growth, creating new job opportunities across the UK.”

Strategic Expansion & Synergies

Rory Mackenzie, Board Director at GEG Capital, commented:

“We’re delighted to add the considerable capabilities of APS to the GEG Capital portfolio. APS has built an outstanding reputation in the energy infrastructure and cabling sector. By integrating its expertise into our portfolio, we significantly enhance our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions—from planning and design to HV cable installation, jointing, and now, high-voltage commissioning for renewable energy projects.

“The acquisition of APS brings further opportunities for the entire group. We will benefit from synergies with our other portfolio companies, including utilities, energy, and renewables contractor Global Infrastructure, and Arthian, which specialises in, planning, environmental, engineering, and safety services.

“As with all our significant investments, we identified in APS a company that shares our values, our vision for the UK energy sector, and our ambitious plans for growth and people development.”

A Trusted Partner to Tier 1 Operators

Established in 2008, APS delivers major HV cable (up to 400 kV) installation and jointing projects across the UK and Europe. It has built a reputation as a key supplier to industry leaders such as Siemens, Hitatchi, Omexom, Linxon and Balfour Beatty, collaborating on projects for all major network providers, including National Grid, Western Power Distribution, Northern Power Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), and UK Power Networks.

APS is currently engaged in several nationally significant projects, including:

• Hinkley Point C Power Plant (Somerset): APS is supplying and installing approximately 5.5 km of 400kV cable, along with GIS terminations and cable system accessories, playing a critical role in project management, technical support, and design functions.
• Beauly 132kV Project (Scotland): APS is installing 17 new 132kV circuits and two temporary interconnectors, handling civil works, cable removal, duct installation, and joint bay excavation.
• Vanguard 400kV Project (Norfolk): APS is responsible for installing two major individual circuits—Norfolk Vanguard West and Norfolk Vanguard East—with additional work to establish access infrastructure.