By Kari Williamson

The energy consulting, testing and certification company will consist of all 1800 KEMA employees and 500 employees from DNV’s renewable energy and sustainability activities. The new company will be led by Thijs Aarten, the CEO of KEMA, and headquartered in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

The company will cover the entire energy value 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.

“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.

While DNV becomes the majority shareholder of KEMA with a 74.3% share, 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.