Canada and Norway Launch a Cross-Atlantic Alliance for Marine and Clean Technologies

MONTAGUE, PEI – Canada and Norway share deep ties as NATO allies, maritime nations, and leaders in clean energy transition. Today, that partnership takes a concrete and commercial form. AKA Energy Systems (AKA), based in Prince Edward Island, and the Sustainable Energy Katapult Centre (SE), based in Stord, Norway, have established a formal cross-Atlantic collaboration – not merely between two companies, but between two national ecosystems for marine and clean technology development.

AKA Energy Systems have incorporated "Sustainable Energy Canada" as the shared brand and vehicle for this collaboration – with the ambition of building a globally recognized platform for marine and clean technology testing, validation, prototyping, and development that serves both countries and attracts international industry to each.

AKA Energy Systems and Sustainable Energy Norway enter into a formal partnership agreement. Picture from the "Energy House" day in Stord, Norway; Tore Kallevåg (SE), left, and Martin Simic (AKA), right. April 9, 2026.

Two Nations, One Ecosystem

Norway is among the world's foremost maritime nations, with a testing and innovation ecosystem that has produced globally competitive companies in hydrogen propulsion, hybrid electric vessels, clean fuel systems, and naval energy resilience. SE's facility in Stord is a cornerstone of that ecosystem – a recognized centre where Norwegian and international companies develop and validate technologies that reach global markets.

Canada's marine and clean technology sector has long lacked equivalent infrastructure on the Atlantic coast. AKA's Poole's Corner campus in Prince Edward Island – a vertically integrated facility for advanced power systems testing, prototyping, and manufacturing – changes that equation. Combined with SE's operational model and international reputation, the partnership creates a genuine cross-Atlantic corridor: technologies developed or validated in Norway can be certified and commercialized for North American markets through PEI, and vice versa.

This is infrastructure that serves national industrial strategy, not just commercial interest. Both Canada and Norway are accelerating the decarbonization of their maritime fleets, expanding domestic defence capabilities, and seeking to grow export-competitive clean technology industries. The Canada-Norway testing corridor directly supports all three objectives.

Sustainable Energy Canada: A Brand Built for Global Reach

The incorporation of Sustainable Energy Canada to echo Sustainable Energy Norway as the common brand identity is central to the long-term vision. Modelled on SE's internationally recognized identity in Norway, Sustainable Energy Canada is designed to become a trusted mark for independent, world-class technology testing and development – first in North America, and ultimately globally.

The brand will serve as the market-facing identity for joint services across both countries: attracting clean technology companies seeking North American market entry, supporting Norwegian firms expanding to Canada, and providing Canadian innovators with access to European expertise and networks they could not access independently. It signals to the world that Canada is not only a destination for clean technology investment – it is a producer and validator of it.

What the Collaboration Delivers

Through the Sustainable Energy Canada platform, the two organizations will offer:

• Independent testing and validation services for marine and clean energy technologies, from TRL 3 through to production-ready
• Rapid prototyping and technology development support for companies in Canada, Norway, and allied nations
• A North American market-entry pathway for Norwegian and European clean technology firms
• A European knowledge and network pathway for Canadian companies seeking international validation
• Joint participation in government-supported R&D programs, innovation funding, and technology attraction initiatives in both countries
• Industrial-academic programming connecting Atlantic Canadian institutions with Norwegian counterparts

Quotes

"By supporting Canadian companies as they expand internationally and pursue innovative opportunities, we are strengthening our economy while advancing the global energy transition. The launch of this Cross-Atlantic Alliance for Marine and Clean Technology showcases the Canada–Norway collaboration. This forward-looking initiative demonstrates how our shared expertise and innovation can drive sustainable growth."

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade

"The Embassy of Canada to Norway and the Trade Commissioner Service team were very pleased to connect AKA Energy Systems and Sustainable Energy Catapult Centre. I extend my sincere congratulations to both organizations on the launch of Sustainable Energy Canada – a strong example of how Canadian and Norwegian partners can work together to accelerate innovation, strengthen our maritime and clean energy sectors, and drive sustainable economic growth for both countries."

Amy Baker, Ambassador of Canada to Norway

"This is bigger than a business partnership. Canada and Norway are allies, maritime neighbours in the North Atlantic, and nations with a shared imperative to lead the clean energy transition in the marine and defence sectors. With Sustainable Energy Canada, we are building the infrastructure that makes that leadership tangible – a place where technologies are tested, validated, and brought to market on both sides of the Atlantic. PEI has the foundation. Norway has the model. Together we have something the world needs."

Jason Aspin, CEO, AKA Energy Systems

"Collaboration is key if we want to succeed with the energy transition. Our aim is to accelerate the development of new and sustainable energy solutions through expertise and state-of-the-art test infrastructure. By partnering up with AKA Energy Systems in Canada, our capabilities grows significantly, allowing more green tech to be developed, tested and validated world-wide."

Tore Kallevåg, CCO, Sustainable Energy

Jason Aspin and Neale Kemp. Photo credit: AKA Energy Systems celebrating 30 years of innovation.

---

About AKA Energy Systems

AKA Energy Systems (Aspin Kemp & Associates Inc.) is an Atlantic Canadian energy systems integrator that designs, manufactures, and supports advanced power and energy management solutions for marine, offshore, and land-based applications worldwide. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Montague, Prince Edward Island, AKA is recognized internationally for high-reliability marine, hybrid, and microgrid technologies. The company operates a 100,000 sq ft vertically integrated campus in Atlantic Canada, with offices in Europe, the United States, and Singapore and a worldwide field services team.

About Sustainable Energy Catapult Centre

Sustainable Energy is a full-scale test center for new and sustainable energy solutions for producing, storing, distributing and managing energy. Sustainable Energy aims to be a driving force for the green transition, accelerating new tech with expertise and state-of-the-art test infrastructure for green shipping, floating offshore wind, carbon capture and storage and the energy transition. Sustainable Energy is part of the Norwegian Katapult Program, founded by the Norwegian Government, and have gained status as one of five catapult centers in Norway.

About Sustainable Energy Canada

Sustainable Energy Canada is a jointly incorporated entity established by AKA Energy Systems and Sustainable Energy Katapult Centre to serve as the common brand and commercial platform for the Canada-Norway marine and clean technology collaboration. Its mission is to develop and operate world-class technology testing, validation, and prototyping infrastructure in Canada, attracting investment and talent from both allied nations and global clean technology markets.