The Role of an ITA in Assessing the O&M Strategy for an RE Plant

Reading Time: ~15 minutes
Key Takeaway: An ITA plays a critical role in stress-testing your O&M strategy to protect performance, costs, and long-term value of an RE plant.

The Role of an ITA in Assessing the O&M Strategy for an RE Plant

Introduction

Many RE plants look strong on paper, yet underperform year after year. The problem is rarely the technology alone. More often, it’s a weak or unrealistic operations and maintenance plan. When O&M is treated as an afterthought, small issues turn into revenue losses, contract disputes, and shortened asset life. That’s where things get uncomfortable—because by the time performance drops, fixing it is expensive. The solution is early, independent scrutiny. The Role of an ITA in Assessing the O&M Strategy for an RE Plant is to step in before problems surface, review whether the O&M plan is realistic, and flag risks that owners, lenders, and investors cannot afford to miss. Done right, this assessment protects both performance and long-term value.

Summary Box

• Focus: Independent review of O&M strategy

• Why it matters: Direct impact on performance and revenue

• Who benefits: Owners, lenders, and investors

• Outcome: Fewer surprises and stronger asset reliability

Why O&M Strategy Matters More Than Most People Think

O&M is not just about fixing things when they break. It controls how well an RE plant performs over 20 to 30 years.

A weak O&M strategy often leads to:

• Higher downtime

• Faster component degradation

• Missed performance guarantees

• Cost overruns

This is why The Role of an ITA in Assessing the O&M Strategy for an RE Plant is so important. ITAs look beyond surface-level plans and focus on long-term reality.

What an ITA Actually Does in O&M Assessment

An ITA does not operate the plant. Instead, they independently evaluate whether the O&M approach makes sense.

Their role includes:

• Reviewing O&M contracts

• Assessing staffing and skill levels

• Checking maintenance plans

• Testing cost and performance assumptions

The goal is not to criticise, but to identify risk early.

Independence Is the Key Advantage

Unlike contractors or operators, ITAs have no stake in defending the O&M plan.

This independence allows them to:

• Question optimistic assumptions

• Highlight gaps others may overlook

• Provide unbiased conclusions

That objectivity is critical for lenders and investors.

Reviewing the O&M Contract Structure

One of the first areas an ITA examines is the O&M contract.

They assess:

• Scope clarity

• Responsibility boundaries

• Performance obligations

• Penalties and incentives

Poorly written contracts often create disputes later.

Assessing Whether the Scope Is Realistic

Some O&M scopes look comprehensive but exclude key tasks.

ITAs check whether the scope covers:

• Preventive maintenance

• Corrective maintenance

• Spare parts management

• Reporting and documentation

Missing items usually reappear as extra costs.

Evaluating Preventive Maintenance Plans

Preventive maintenance keeps assets healthy.

An ITA reviews:

• Maintenance intervals

• Alignment with manufacturer guidelines

• Adaptation to site conditions

Plans that look good but are impractical are a red flag.

Checking Maintenance Frequency Assumptions

Too little maintenance increases failure risk. Too much increases cost.

ITAs assess whether:

• Frequencies are justified

• Critical components get priority

• Seasonal risks are addressed

Balance matters.

Spare Parts Strategy Review

Spare parts planning is often underestimated.

ITAs look at:

• Critical spares list

• Lead times

• Storage conditions

Lack of spares can turn small faults into long outages.

Assessing Staffing and Skill Levels

People matter as much as systems.

An ITA checks:

• Number of technicians

• Skill and training levels

• Availability of specialists

Understaffed teams struggle during peak issues.

Evaluating Response Times and SLAs

Response time commitments are easy to promise and hard to deliver.

ITAs review:

• Fault response times

• Repair timelines

• Escalation procedures

Unrealistic SLAs create operational stress.

Performance Monitoring and KPIs

What gets measured gets managed.

An ITA checks whether KPIs:

• Reflect real performance drivers

• Are measurable and auditable

• Align with contract incentives

Weak KPIs hide underperformance.

Energy Yield and Availability Assumptions

Many O&M strategies rely on optimistic assumptions.

ITAs test:

• Availability targets

• Loss assumptions

• Weather adjustment methods

This protects revenue projections.

Data Quality and Monitoring Systems

Good decisions need good data.

ITAs assess:

• SCADA coverage

• Alarm management

• Data accuracy

Poor data undermines even the best O&M plans.

Corrective Maintenance Approach

Failures will happen. What matters is how they are handled.

ITAs review:

• Fault diagnosis processes

• Repair prioritisation

• Root cause analysis methods

Repeated failures signal weak corrective strategies.

Interface Between O&M and EPC Obligations

Early years are critical.

An ITA checks:

• Warranty coverage

• Defect liability alignment

• Handover completeness

Gaps here often lead to disputes.

Managing OEM Relationships

OEM support is not automatic.

ITAs assess:

• Service agreements

• Response commitments

• Parts availability

Overreliance on OEMs can be risky.

Budget and Cost Structure Review

Low O&M cost is not always good news.

ITAs examine:

• Cost breakdowns

• Inflation assumptions

• Long-term sustainability

Underbudgeting usually leads to deferred maintenance.

Long-Term Maintenance Planning

RE plants age.

ITAs review plans for:

• Major overhauls

• Component replacement

• Performance degradation

Ignoring long-term needs shortens asset life.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Practices

Safety failures stop operations.

ITAs assess:

• Safety procedures

• Training programmes

• Incident reporting

Strong safety culture supports reliability.

Documentation and Reporting Standards

Documentation is often overlooked.

ITAs check whether:

• Maintenance records are complete

• Reports are consistent

• Issues are tracked

Poor records weaken accountability.

Use of Digital Tools in O&M

Technology can help—or distract.

ITAs evaluate:

• CMMS effectiveness

• Data integration

• User adoption

Tools must support, not complicate, work.

Risk Identification Through O&M Review

O&M reviews surface hidden risks.

Common risks include:

• Skill shortages

• Unrealistic cost assumptions

• Weak spare strategies

Early visibility allows mitigation.

How ITAs Prioritise O&M Risks

Not all issues are equal.

ITAs rank risks based on:

• Likelihood

• Impact

• Ease of mitigation

This keeps focus on what matters.

Common O&M Strategy Weaknesses

Across projects, ITAs often see:

• Copy-paste O&M plans

• Poor site-specific adaptation

• Overreliance on contractors

These patterns repeat costly mistakes.

Aligning O&M Strategy With Financing Requirements

Lenders care deeply about O&M.

ITAs ensure:

• O&M supports debt service

• Availability targets are credible

• Costs are sustainable

This improves bankability.

O&M Strategy During Construction and Early Operation

Early decisions shape long-term outcomes.

ITAs check:

• Readiness for operation

• Training before COD

• Spare availability at handover

Weak starts are hard to fix later.

Independent Validation for Stakeholders

ITA findings provide confidence.

They help:

• Owners challenge assumptions

• Lenders protect downside risk

• Investors assess value

Independence adds weight.

How ITA Reviews Reduce Disputes

Clear O&M expectations reduce conflict.

ITA assessments:

• Clarify responsibilities

• Identify contract gaps

• Support objective discussion

This prevents finger-pointing.

O&M Strategy and Asset Value

Strong O&M protects resale value.

Buyers look for:

• Predictable performance

• Clear records

• Managed risks

ITA-reviewed strategies increase confidence.

Continuous Improvement in O&M

O&M should evolve.

ITAs encourage:

• Performance reviews

• Lessons learned

• Strategy updates

Static plans fail over time.

When to Involve an ITA

The best time is early.

Ideal stages include:

• Pre-financial close

• Before COD

• During refinancing

Late reviews are more expensive.

Choosing the Right ITA for O&M Review

Not all ITAs are equal.

Look for:

• Relevant RE experience

• Clear methodology

• Practical recommendations

Quality matters.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

O&M strategy directly controls whether an RE plant meets its performance and financial expectations. The Role of an ITA in Assessing the O&M Strategy for an RE Plant is to independently test assumptions, expose hidden risks, and ensure the plan is realistic over the full asset life. A strong ITA review turns O&M from a cost centre into a value-protection tool. If you want clarity, confidence, and fewer surprises in your plant’s operation, now is the time to act. WhatsApp or call 0133006284 to discuss how an independent ITA assessment can strengthen your O&M strategy and safeguard your investment.