KEMA Laboratories to change ownership from DNV GL to CESI

Ditlev Engel, CEO of DNV GL – Energy, and Matteo Codazzi, CEO of CESI

The transfer comprises KEMA and all the high-voltage and high-power testing and inspection activities performed by its personnel in its own laboratories in Arnhem (NL), Prague (CZ), and Chalfont (US).

The completion of the transaction is expected to take place at the end of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

The KEMA testing and inspection facilities include the world’s largest high-power laboratory, with the highest short circuit power of 10,000 MVA, and the world’s first laboratory capable of testing ultra-high voltage components for super grids, as well as the Flex Power Grid Laboratory for advanced testing of smart grids components.

All former KEMA advisory employees will remain within DNV GL including all the advisory services as well as DNV GL’s testing and verification services for power failures, battery testing, transformer oil testing, and smart grid testing.

Once finalised, the transfer will generate significant benefits for both CESI, a global leader in testing, inspections, and technical consulting services in the energy sector, and DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent power and renewables experts. CESI, by combining the extensive expertise and capabilities of its laboratories with those of KEMA, will become the world leader for independent testing of advanced technological components for the energy industry.

When the transaction is completed, DNV GL will have a more focused global energy organisation of 2,000 power and renewable experts, which can be scaled much faster in the years to come in order to meet the rapidly changing future market and technology demands, as the electrification and decarbonising in the world continues.

“The energy sector is undergoing a deep transformation, with client needs continuously evolving. Through the combination of CESI and KEMA's respective laboratories, and the mutual expertise of our talented professionals, we are creating the global market leader in independent testing and inspections for the energy industry,” said CEO of CESI, Matteo Codazzi.

“Together, CESI and KEMA will be uniquely positioned to provide our worldwide customers with outstanding services to effectively address the challenges of the energy transition.”

Ditlev Engel, CEO of DNV GL-Energy, said: “Following a thorough review of our strategy for our laboratories in 2018, we are glad we have found a very good new owner for the KEMA Laboratories."

“In DNV GL’s energy business we will continue to focus and expand our business in advanced – often digital – advisory, testing, and certification services that help our customers handle the exponential growth of wind, solar, and storage and their integration into the power grid,” he added. “In line with this strategy, we acquired top-notch companies in recent years with expertise in digital platforms, solar PV and grids, and invested in promising innovations like Instatrust, a digital market place for renewable power purchase agreements, and Smart Cable Guard, a digital fault detection service for reliable grids. We will continue on this path to grow and extend our trusted advisory and certification service.”