SKM said these changes are largely necessitated by the proposed connection of upwards of 10,000 MW of renewable (wind) generation by 2010 and beyond.

Ofgem, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, has appointed SKM to assist in facilitating discussion and agreement between the transmission network operators and owners, generators, developers and other users and stakeholders on the proposed changes.

The Sinclair Knight Merz strategic consulting team, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, will lead this work and has considerable experience in advising regulators, as well as existing and potential redevelopers and owners of wind generation plant, distribution and transmission system operators, on technical matters associated with wind farm and electrical interconnector development and implementation.

This is a major project win for the firm, and adds to the growing profile of Sinclair Knight Merz as a leading provider of power engineering consulting services to clients in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. SKM established its power sector team in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2003.

SKM General Manager, Power, Martin Bird described the win as a particularly important milestone in the development of firm's power business in the UK. "We are delighted to have won this prestigious project, and are looking forward to starting work with OFGEM on the Grid Codes study," Mr Bird added.

"This is a key project win for SKM in this sector, and will enable us to use our leading edge skills in distribution and transmission network planning and operation to assist in the implementation of these important changes".

All electricity transmission licensees are required to have in force a Grid Code covering the technical aspects relating to the operation of their transmission system.