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

A company founded in Montpellier, Elements, was the Occitanie region’s largest fund-raiser in 2023.

All the major stakeholders in decarbonized energy are present in the Montpellier area, such as Apex, Aenco, GRDF, Enerfip, General Electric, Bouygues, Elements, SLB, WPD, EDF Renouvelables, SolarinBlue, Voltalia, RWE, Qair, Valeco, Engie, BayWare, Total Energies, and Vestas, along with others operating nearby such as Arkolia, OCCTE, France Renouvelables, Watteos, SER, Cemater, and the Derbi competitiveness cluster.

Montpellier is a leading player in the field, with 4,500 direct jobs involving renewable energy.

A number of national-level competitiveness clusters play a major role in the environmental sector, bringing together economic players to work on joint projects.

Among them, Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation and Qualiméditerranée focus on agriculture, agrifood, and the environment. The clusters support innovation, research, and cooperation between companies, research organizations, and various institutions to promote sustainable and responsible practices in these key sectors.

Aqua Valley, another competitiveness cluster based in Montpellier, specializes in the sustainable use and management of water. 

The Derbi cluster focuses on developing new types of energy, bringing together  companies, research laboratories, and institutions to foster technological innovation and the energy transition towards clean, renewable, and sustainable sources.

The Pôle Mer Méditerranée cluster concentrates on maritime and coastal activities, promoting sustainable development within sectors such as fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and marine energy. 

Through these competitiveness clusters, Montpellier Métropole continues to strengthen its position as a major player in sustainable development by stimulating innovation, collaboration, and the adoption of environmentally-friendly practices in key economic sectors.

Universities and research centers in the greater Montpellier area also play an active role in the environmental field. One of the major players is the UNESCO ICIREWARD center for water sciences.

The decision to establish this center in Montpellier is a clear sign for higher education, research, and innovation. Among other things, it demonstrates the scientific excellence of our researchers and their ability to organize themselves to meet major societal challenges. Montpellier is now officially part of the "UNESCO Water Family", the organization's network of water centers, chairs, and national committees.

Après avoir vu naître les entreprises pionnières de la filière il y a trente ans, la Métropole revendique aujourd’hui la présence de plusieurs sièges de groupes majeurs sur leur marché (Enedis, Qair, EDF Renouvelables, Total Energies ou SLB). Les acteurs de cet écosystème, qui représente plus de 4 000 emplois directs sur notre territoire, ont exprimé leur besoin de structuration et de fédération de la filière, afin de faire face aux enjeux de croissance au niveau national et international. C'est pourquoi la Métropole de Montpellier a décidé de mettre sur pied un cluster qui leur sera dédié. 

La création du cluster EnR s’inspire de la méthode collaborative que la Métropole de Montpellier avait mise en place avec les acteurs des filières santé, agri-agro et environnement, pour coconstruire MedVallée, le pôle mondial d’excellenceS en Santé Globale. Installé dans la Halle de l’Innovation, il sera structuré autour de six groupes de travail centrés sur les trois thématiques définies : soutenir la formation et le développement des compétences pour répondre aux besoins des entreprises, renforcer l’attractivité de Montpellier pour les talents et les investisseurs, stimuler l’innovation pour faire émerger des solutions à la hauteur des enjeux climatiques. 

Coprésidés par des experts, ces groupes de travail porteront quatre à six actions concrètes à mettre en place dès 2025. Au printemps 2025, des Assises des EnR seront organisées lors desquelles le projet détaillé et le nom du nouveau cluster seront présentés.

Depuis 2020, la Métropole et la Ville de Montpellier sont engagées en faveur du développement des énergies renouvelables avec pour ambition de développer la sobriété et la souveraineté énergétique du territoire.

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