Å Energi changed IT partner with no noise and no downtime

When the energy industry is undergoing major changes, stability is crucial. Å Energi has switched IT partners quietly. In fact, without employees noticing. This shows the strength of a well-executed onboarding project and provides a secure starting point for safe and stable operations in a good partnership.

Å Energi is one of Norway's largest power groups with operations throughout the value chain, from production to the end customer. The power group owns 82 power plants in Rogaland, Agder, and Buskerud, and produces 13 TWh of hydropower annually, which is distributed to over 430,000 grid customers and over 9,000 business customers. To succeed in this social task, the IT platform must be secure, cost-effective, and future-oriented.

Digitalization and the right technology make it possible to deliver energy cost-effectively, and to develop new services and business areas,

says Tor Mange Lindeberg, Head of ICT Operations at Å Energi.

Seamless transition

In the spring of 2025, Å Energi chose Cegal as its new IT partner, and the first major project in the partnership was to move IT operations from a global supplier. The goal was to ensure that day-to-day operations would be completely undisturbed, and we have succeeded. Feedback from employees has been positive, including feedback that the support experience has improved. This provides confidence that the foundation is in place.

The selection of a new partner was based on business requirements. Å Energi wanted local resources in Norway or the Nordic region, and the new partner had to have industry knowledge, experience with energy systems, and a clear cloud concept. Scalable solutions, standardization, and streamlining, where it makes sense, were also important requirements.

The onboarding was carried out according to plan, and Lindeberg emphasizes that we have now laid a solid foundation for further development. "Predictability and a well-planned project were prerequisites for success. The collaboration between the project managers at Å Energi and Cegal has been good, thanks to a conscious effort to build trust and create openness, even when challenges have arisen.

Value through savings and close collaboration

Once the IT solutions have been in operation for a period of time, the goal is to save 20% in annual costs through standardization, automation, and optimization of IT functions, infrastructure, and cloud platform.

The transition to a new IT partner has taken place in parallel with major changes in the company: the merger between Agder Energi and Glitre Energi, the introduction of a new ERP system, consolidation of systems, and adaptation to new market rules.

"We're a slightly odd, but cooperative customer. We have some of the oldest legacy systems combined with the latest in cloud technology. This makes us demanding, but Cegal has handled the establishment phase well.

Together, we will build solutions that make us better equipped for tomorrow's challenges and deliver the energy solutions of the future.

says Lindeberg.

The close collaboration with Å Energi has provided a lot of insight and has challenged us at Cegal to work even more proactively than before.

"Traditionally, we have largely worked on a task-based basis. The customer registers a case, and we solve it. At Å Energi, we are challenged to work more closely and holistically. We have to think as an integrated part of the customer's team, anticipate needs and contribute to solutions before they become an issue," says Heidi Skare, project manager at Cegal.

The collaboration gives Å Energi an extended arm of technicians from Cegal, which ensures continuity without key people having to be available all the time. Lindeberg uses a football metaphor: "We have half a team, and Cegal complements the team with resources and expertise. Our own players will be involved, but they won't play every game. With Cegal as a partner, we free up time to deliver more value and develop new services.

Cegal plans to establish an office in Kristiansand as a result of this collaboration.

* Header image of Vidar Nalbant – Data Center Architect, Kjetil Sandstå – Head of Operational IT, and Tor Magne Lindeberg – Head of ICT Operations.