IKM and NorSea will jointly own Energy Innovation and will strengthen Energy Innovation's role as a national competence center for the training and certification of wind power technicians.

Group CEOs John Stangeland in NorSea and Ståle Kyllingstad in IKM say the acquisition will consolidate and develop both groups' ambitions in offshore wind:

"When offshore wind is fully developed on the Norwegian continental shelf, considerable expertise and capacity are needed to ensure value creation in Norway in all phases, from planning and development to long-term operation of the facilities. The future perspective for wind power in Europe involves tens of thousands of jobs for operators and wind technicians and a great demand for professionals in mechanical and electrical fields. We will play a role there," say Kyllingstad and Stangeland.

Energy Innovation runs training, certification and education for wind power operators and technicians.

"We have great faith in the importance of wind power for energy supply and for the opportunities this will provide for industrial and supplier development both in Norway and internationally. Now we jointly take responsibility for meeting the need for qualified personnel. It gives Energy Innovation a larger capital base with the opportunity to strengthen the staff, expand the course business and develop the business," says Kyllingstad.

"In August, NorSea signed a ground-breaking contract with four universities in Belgium and Norway on the development and sharing of expertise within Norway's next industrial adventure; sea breeze. Now we continue and complete the chain by developing competence at all levels,  from skilled workers and technicians to doctorates and professors. As two solid groups, NorSea and IKM can contribute to building the organization for Energy Innovation," says Stangeland.

Frank Emil Moen, managing director of Energy Innovation, says that he is very satisfied with the change of ownership and retains a smaller stake in the company: "Wilhelmsen-owned NorSea and IKM Group are very solid, industrial groups that invest aggressively in offshore wind, other renewable technology and sustainability. This will strengthen the position of Energy Innovation both nationally and internationally, and ensure a further building of the competence environment established through the Egersund Energy Hub."

Moen says the ambition is for Egersund to be Norway's leading center with global ambitions that reinforces Rogaland as a region that takes green change in business and education seriously.

See video about the collaboration below. The video is in Norwegian.