DNV and KEMA will form an energy consulting, testing and certification company that can drive the worldwide transition toward a safe, reliable, efficient and clean energy ecosystem. DNV KEMA 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. Aarten will report to a supervisory board chaired by DNV CEO Henrik O. Madsen.

Strategic and cultural match KEMA’s activities are complementary to those of DNV’s existing renewable energy and sustainability businesses. All these activities will be integrated to form one service offering to the global energy sector. Services 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.

The global energy sector is heading for significant changes and investments. The International Energy Agency estimates that US$10 trillion will be spent between 2010 and 2030. Stricter environmental regulations and increased fuel costs will drive a transition toward cleaner fossil fuel and more cost-effective power generation. This transition, including that toward integrating more renewable power into the energy grids, will require system-wide changes. In the United States, Europe and Asia, the shift is already under way and will be partly supported by the introduction of smart grids or intelligent energy networks.

While DNV becomes the majority shareholder 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.