IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES
A renewable energy cluster to shape and drive the sector
After witnessing the birth of pioneering companies in the renewable energy sector thirty years ago, the Montpellier area has continued to attract leading players in the field, such as Enedis, Qair, EDF Renouvelables, TotalEnergies, and SLB. As this ecosystem has grown, now representing more than 4,000 direct jobs, it has become clear that the sector needs to be structured and united in order to meet the challenges of growth at both the national and international levels.
That is why the decision was made to set up a dedicated cluster. The cluster was developed collaboratively, following the model successfully implemented with players in the health, agri-food, and environmental sectors to build MedVallée, the global center of excellence in One Health.
Located in the Halle de l’Innovation building, the renewable energy cluster is organized around six working groups focused on three clearly defined themes: supporting training and skill development to meet the needs of businesses; enhancing Montpellier’s attractiveness for talent and investors; and stimulating innovation to develop solutions that meet the challenges of climate change.
Co-chaired by industry experts, these working groups are responsible for four to six concrete actions that were first set in motion in 2025.
Henera, an incubator devoted to renewable energies
Backed Montpellier BIC and the EDF and SLB groups, the Henera incubator supports innovative startups involved with low-carbon energies, from production and storage, to distribution, control, and more.
The selected projects benefit from a nine-month program, free of charge, created and run by Montpellier BIC, EDF, and SLB.
The 2024 cohort comprised three projects:
- E-ETHYLÈNE designs electrolysis solutions to produce ethylene from industrial CO2 emissions.
- RENVO has created a digital platform for all wind farms to cost-effectively re-use equipment.
- CELEST.SCIENCE designs and develops a new generation of artificial intelligence to improve climate prediction, reduce exposure to climate risks, and help society adapt to climate change.
Four projects were selected for the 2025 cohort:
- ANARION designs ultra-thin, lightweight, and flexible photovoltaic film with the same performance as conventional photovoltaic panels.
- LOOK UP GEOSCIENCE is developing a software solution that facilitates access to subsurface knowledge for the exploration of low-carbon energies, particularly geothermal energy and natural hydrogen.
- COLVERT operates CAPEX-free battery storage systems by reusing second-life batteries for sites ranging from 1 to 20 MWh.
- ILD·IS ROBOTICS designs and develops an innovative, autonomous, and robotized solution for optimizing, securing, and protecting photovoltaic assets.
EnerGaïa, European renewable energy forum
For the past 17 years, the EnerGaïa Forum has been a major event for professionals in the renewable energy sector, offering real environmental solutions for territories, cities, and industries.
By hosting EnerGaïa, Montpellier Métropole underscores its commitment to the ecological transition and its desire to support innovation in the field of clean energy, while confirming its position as a major hub for green energy in France.
Montpellier Métropole’s ambitious solar plan leading up to 2050
Since 2020, Montpellier Métropole and the City of Montpellier have been committed to developing renewable energies with the aim of promoting energy efficiency and energy independence in the area.