RENEWABLE ENERGIES, A PROMISING SECTOR

Renewable energy is an essential part of the energy transition, as it is derived from natural resources that are never depleted, such as sunlight, wind, water, biomass, and geothermal sources. For the past several years, public authorities and all the players in the energy sector have been preparing for the environmental challenges ahead and working together on new alternatives.

Located at the heart of a renewable energy resource that is unique in France, the Occitanie region has the largest wind potential in mainland France and the second highest photovoltaic potential. We now know that, following two decades of relative stagnation, electricity consumption is set to rise sharply (source: RTE). Looking ahead, our need for carbon-free energy will be greater than our need for energy during the golden age of nuclear power (1970-1990).

Renewable sources will enable France to produce this low-carbon energy, notably because they will be ready long before the next generation of nuclear power.

Our region benefits from many advantages that already place it at the crossroads of the renewable energy sector:

• The Mediterranean climate combines 300 sunny days a year and the presence of strong winds (Mistral, Tramontane, Greek, etc.), making the Occitanie region France's leading source of wind energy, and 2^nd largest source of solar energy after the South of France (Sud de France) region.
• Our location at the heart of the Mediterranean basin offers promising prospects for the development of floating wind turbines, equidistant from Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône department) and Port la Nouvelle (Aude department).
• Exceptional growth potential driven by more than a hundred major players: major headquarters for EDF Renouvelables (since 2020), Engie Green, and Total Energies Renouvelables; independent producers and equipment suppliers such as Elements, Urbasolar, and Valeco; and Enerfip, the leading participatory funding platform for the energy transition.
• Growing recognition of companies: renewable energy producer Elements raised the largest amount of capital in Occitanie in 2023, totaling 50 million euros.

The renewable energy sector is undergoing exponential growth, with job creation expected to double or even triple over the next few years. Already employing more than 4,500 people in the region, the renewable energies sector continues to seek new talent to support its growth.

With an ongoing need for engineers, installation technicians, and specialized workers for the maintenance and upkeep of these future installations, the challenge of training is crucial. In partnership with the Occitanie Region, Rector, France Travail, Medef, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Syndicat des ENR, and others, on June 20, 2024, Montpellier Métropole committed to take action on the issues of employment and training to create a pool of sustainable and inclusive jobs in the region.

+ 39% in 2022

GROWTH RATE OF EMPLOYMENT RELATED TO
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY IN EUROPE

650,000 JOBS