A Merseyside firm that installs and maintains gas-powered generators around the world sees annual revenues rise 20% to £432.5m and profits soar as it looks to diversify beyond fossil fuels. Tony McDonough reports

Clarke Energy offers hybrid energy systems as well as just gas

Gas-powered generator specialist Clarke Energy is reporting big rises in annual revenues and pre-tax profits as it looks to diversify into non-gas systems.

Founded by Jim Clarke in 1989, Knowsley-based Clarke Energy installs and maintains power generation plants and equipment at mines, hospitals and major commercial developments. 

It provided the power for the athletes’ village during the London Olympics in 2012 and for the Shard skyscraper at London Bridge. It employs around 1,300 people around the world, including hundreds in its headquarters at Knowsley Business Park.

Clarke has just published its annual accounts for the 12 months to December 31, 2023, on Companies House. They show a 20% rise in revenues to £432.5m and pre-tax profits more than doubling from £13.4m in 2022 to £34m in 2023.

In 2017 the company was acquired by US-based multinational manufacturing giant Kohler Co, a specialist in the engineering, construction, installation and maintenance of engine-based power plants.

In May 2024 Kholer Co sold a majority stake in its energy division, which includes Clarke, to Platinum Equity, a £36bn global investment outfit for an undisclosed sum. A new entity called Kholer Energy was established as a separate independent business.

In the annual report, Clarke director Peter Holliday said: “The performance of the group during 2023 has produced positive financial results.

“The aftersales part of our business has performed very strongly and we have been able to secure significant new equipment supply contracts in countries including the UK, Australia, the US and Romania.

Clarke Energy has its global headquarters in Knowsley

“The group will continue to consolidate its strong position in existing markets such as the UK, France, Australia, India and Bangladesh and concentrate its efforts on achieving growth in  new developing markets such as Tunisia, the US, Romania and Greece.”

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Its products and services are likely to continue to be in demand for several years to come, particularly as countries manage their energy transition, and Peter Holliday adds “prospects for sale of new equipment in most regions remains strong”.

However, with the direction of global travel away from fossil fuels such as gas, Clarke is now also looking to focus on the supply of battery and hybrid power stations “with and without gas engines”.