UTILITY service provider Fastflow is laying the foundations for further growth after opening a new business which it hopes will help it to create 100 jobs.

The Washington-based firm has recently launched its subsidiary company Fastflow Energy Services (FES) as a gas infrastructure contractor.

It is hoped Fastflow’s gas operations will be as successful as its £30m turnover pipeline services business, which supports the water industry.

The company’s energy arm has been selected as one of only six partners by National Grid for high-pressure gas diversion and above ground installation (AGI) work. The partnership could be worth up to a total of £100m to the six firms over the next five years.

This win has quickly opened the door to a £500,000 contract to modernise the Alrewas regulator station near Burton-on-Trent, including the installation of volumetric controls for high and low-pressure override facilities.

Other early energy service wins include a similar AGI renewal at Lochgelly, near Dunfermline, and two heat exchange installations at Hydes Pastures in the East Midlands and at Rugby.

Progress is also being made in establishing working relationships with the Northern and Southern Gas Networks and the Wales and West Network.

Neil Armstrong, owner and chief executive officer of Fastflow, said: “The work due to be carried out with National Grid is probably our second biggest contract win after Northumbrian Water, which is a 10-year contract worth £200m.