Føn Energy Services has announced plans to acquire Dutch offshore wind farm services company C-Ventus. This acquisition, backed by Norwegian industrial group IKM and Oslo-listed industrial investment company Akastor, marks a significant step towards creating a leading player in the offshore wind Operations and Maintenance (O&M) sector.
Føn Energy Services, boasting three decades of O&M experience in the offshore market and approximately 90 employees across operations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, is set to expand its footprint with the integration of C-Ventus. The deal will see Føn Energy Services acquiring 100% of C-Ventus shares from its current owner, DISA International, a global provider of marine engineering, civil construction, and offshore oil and gas services.
Didier de Graaff, Managing Director of DISA International, expressed optimism about the merger, stating, “Although the transaction is legally structured as an acquisition, from an operational perspective it is a merger of competence, manpower, businesses, and brands.”
Upon completion of the merger, C-Ventus will operate under the Føn Energy Services brand, leveraging its expertise in balance of plant services, installation support, and decommissioning across European offshore wind farms. With a track record of servicing over 25 offshore wind farms in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, C-Ventus brings a wealth of experience and a client list including industry giants like Vestas, Vattenfall, RWE, and Shell.
Føn Energy Services Chief Executive, Torben Hald, emphasized the strategic significance of the acquisition, stating, “Combining a strong presence in the North Sea and the financial muscles of Føn Energy Services with C-Ventus' European track record and scalable operating model… enable us to strengthen our integrated service model and deliver cost-efficient O&M service operators across Europe.”
The acquisition aligns with Føn Energy Services' ambition to industrialize and digitize the O&M segment of the wind industry, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs. It represents the first step in the company's strategic expansion plan to establish itself as a leading service provider in the offshore wind market.
With the backing of IKM, Akastor, and DISA, Føn Energy Services aims to leverage C-Ventus' operating model to expand its market presence, targeting regions including the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The merger signifies a pivotal moment in the evolution of the offshore wind O&M sector, poised to deliver enhanced services and drive further innovation in the renewable energy industry.
