*This article was first released at Axess Group's main website: www.axessgroup.com

Statkraft chose Axess Group as their Enterprise of Competence partner for all their Norwegian windfarms. The contract encompasses control and certification of all equipment subject to Enterprise of Competence control (elevators, cranes, rescue and lifting equipment) on the windfarms at Smøla, Hitra and Kjøllefjord. The contract may be extended to all new windfarms where Statkraft take operational control during the contract period.

The contract has a firm period of three years with two options of one year each, with a potential total duration of five years.

Børge Gjeldvik, CEO at Axess Group, said: "We are very pleased with this award and look forward to start working with Statkraft. This is an important milestone in Axess work to win larger market shares with shore based industry. We see this award as a recognition of the efforts we have put into adjusting to a new reality that require safer and more cost-efficient solutions. In a tough market this contract will secure activity and enable further strengthening of the Axess team."