DNV (Stiftelsen Det Norske Veritas, the Norway-based classification and risk management company) has acquired 74.3% of KEMA’s shares, creating what the two organisations believe will be a 'world-leading consulting and certification company' within the cleaner energy, sustainability, power generation, transmission and distribution sectors. Existing part-owner Alliander retains its holding (25.4%) as does Cogas (0.3%). The transaction is subject to the approval of the US, Dutch and German competition authorities.
DNV and KEMA expect to help drive the worldwide transition towards a reliable and efficient clean energy ecosystem. The new company will consist of all 1800 KEMA employees and 500 employees from DNV’s renewable energy and sustainability activities. It will be led by Thijs Aarten, the CEO of KEMA, and headquartered in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
“By joining forces, 2300 experts will meet the needs of an industry in rapid transition and growth. The combination of cleaner fossil-fuel-based power generation and the increased use of renewables will truly make a global impact. This is the strategic rationale behind DNV’s biggest investment ever which, along with DNV’s other 8000 employees engaged in supporting our maritime, oil & gas and other customers, makes DNV a leading global player in third party and technical advisory roles,” says Leif Arne Langøy, the chairman of DNV’s board of directors.
KEMA’s activities are complementary to those of DNV’s existing renewable energy and sustainability businesses and these activities will together form one services offering that will cover the energy chain from energy source to end user, including wind energy, carbon capture and storage, carbon trading, energy efficiency, power generation, transmission and distribution, and energy-related testing, inspection and certification.
The management of the new company believes it has the necessary profile to help businesses during the near-future transitional changes in the energy sector. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that USD 10 trillion will be spent between 2010 and 2030. Stricter environmental regulations and increased fuel costs will drive a transition towards cleaner fossil fuel and more cost-effective power generation. This transition, including that towards integrating more renewable power into the energy grids, will require system-wide changes.
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