Jones Bros Civil Engineering has secured the £16.5m infrastructure contract for the Crystal Rig II wind farm in the Scottish Borders.

The deal provides the critical mass to enable Jones Bros to open its first regional office outside its North Wales heartland.

It’s the biggest-ever contract for the family-run firm. Founded in the 1950s, it has grown rapidly in the last decade. Turnover has increased from £12m in 2000 to £30m in 2007-08 and is expected to be greater next year.

Jones Bros beat off tough competition to win the two-year contract from Fred Olsen Renewables.

The firm, which has already undertaken long-term contracts works at a major landfill site at Avondale, Falkirk, are now investigating the possibility of opening an office in Scotland, putting it in a better position to compete for work north of the border.

A four-strong management team will head up operations at the 51-turbine Crystal Rig II wind farm, near Dunbar.

About 40 jobs will result, with work beginning this month (June). It will include installation of turbine bases, electrical infrastructure and construction of 28km of access roads. Use of on-site borrow pits will enable recycling of materials at source, saving on thousands of HGV journeys to transport raw materials from other areas.

The deal cements Jones Bros’ reputation as a niche wind farm balance of plant provider, having been an early leader in the development of expertise to construct infrastructure for the renewable energy sector.

In 2004, it completed work at the 39 turbine Cefn Croes wind farm, Aberystwyth, Wales, the UK’s largest at the time.

Currently, it is fulfilling balance of plant contracts for wind farms at Carno, Mid Wales and Moelogan, North Wales.

Managing Director Huw Jones said: “The winning of this contract shows that Jones Bros is now a significant player in the UK market to provide balance of plant services on renewable energy projects.

“The company’s expertise is also growing in other sectors, such as waste management and recycling facilities, and we are increasingly winning more contracts in other parts of the UK, in addition to North Wales, as our reputation grows.

“This contract win is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our loyal workforce, many of whom have worked for the company for many years.”

The firm, whose headquarters are in Ruthin, North Wales, employs 240, and operates in highways construction and maintenance, infrastructure for industrial parks, sea defences and marinas, waste management and land reclamation.

It is also developing a niche in power station infrastructure , currently carrying out contracts at power stations in Aberthaw, S Wales, and Didcot, Oxfordshire, for RWE Npower.