DCNS and Bpifrance announce the creation of DCNS Energies, a new player with global ambitions in Marine Renewable Energies

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06 January 2017 Marine renewable energies Press release

DCNS Energies logoDCNS, the European leader in naval defence and the SPI fund (“Société de Projets Industriels” / Industrial Projects Company), financed by the “Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir” (Investments Programme for the Future) and managed by Bpifrance, today announced the creation of DCNS Energies, a new industrial player in Marine Renewable Energies, which is also supported by Technip Group and BNP Paribas Development.  DCNS Energies, majority owned by DCNS and 36% by the SPI fund ("Société de Projets Industriels" / Industrial Projects Company) of Bpifrance, will devote its activity to the industrial and commercial development of three technologies for the production of electricity from Marine Renewable Energies (MRE): tidal turbine power that uses the kinetic energy of sea currents, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and offshore wind energy via semi-submersible floats. DCNS Energies positions itself as a turnkey constructor of MRE plants for the French and export markets. The new company intends to mature these three MRE technologies before moving on to the industrial phase in the near future. It will be backed by a sound industrial partnership through the stake in the company acquired by Technip, which will bring its expertise in the engineering and management of complex projects in the marine environment. Confident in the prospects of the company, BNP Paribas Développement has joined the pool. In addition to the contributions in terms of industrial facilities and intellectual property of DCNS, the four shareholders will provide a total of € 100 million in equity for DCNS Energies, which will also use financial leverage. Hydro 1For DCNS, the creation of DCNS Energies is a continuation of the R&D work carried out by the Group since 2008, and the acquisition of the OpenHydro start-up in 2013. The launch of a subsidiary dedicated to marine energies, addressing customers and markets other than the naval defence sector, comes at a key time of market growth. In view of the considerable prospects for expansion in renewable energies (which will represent 26% of the energy mix scheduled for 2020), MREs are intended to complete this mix and to take over from wind and solar energy by offering new environment-friendly and inexhaustible sources of energy. For Hervé Guillou, Chairman and CEO of DCNS: "The creation of DCNS Energies is part of our strategic action plan, one of whose aims is to apply our technical expertise and generate growth in the employment areas of DCNS in France. By positioning ourselves in the fast-emerging market of MREs, the partnership with Bpifrance, Technip and BNP Paribas will allow us to develop a French sector that creates jobs and added value on a global scale. I am convinced that DCNS Energies will successfully meet the technological and commercial challenges of the sector and achieve its ambition to become a world leader in the marine renewable energies industry." According to Thierry Kalanquin, CEO of DCNS Energies: "We have serious assets with which to succeed on this market: renowned experts, advanced technology, turnkey offers covering the lifetime of projects, and an expanding portfolio of sites. The creation of DCNS Energies is a boost for the entire industrial sector that will follow this development." Hydro 2 For Bpifrance, the creation of DCNS Energies has several industrial and environmental interests. The new company is a significant contribution to the structuring of the sector in France by creating a leader capable of developing markets and of getting with it the players downstream in the chain. It has significant potential for creating jobs concentred around the employment areas of Brest, Nantes and Cherbourg, the latest site having already begun the construction of an assembly plant for tidal turbines. DCNS Energies will also make a direct contribution to the energy and environmental transition, reflected in the objectives of the COP 21, by producing a renewable energy with the major advantage of being highly predictable and sparsely intermittent. For Magali Joessel, director of the SPI fund ("Société de Projets Industriels" / Industrial Projects Company): "The SPI fund welcomes this investment alongside DCNS, which will bring its technical expertise to DCNS Energies. A key success factor for us, DCNS Energies also benefits from the highly dynamic markets in France and abroad by taking key positions in development projects, particularly in tidal energy. These technological and commercial advantages make DCNS Energies a promising first mover. The intervention the “Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir” (Investments Programme for the Future) in DCNS Energies’ capital will help to accelerate the industrialisation of the best technologies of the sector in a still-emerging market where strong industrial positions can be taken." Thierry Pilenko, Chairman and CEO of Technip stated: "We are delighted to bring to DCNS Energies our expertise and skills in engineering, in particular offshore engineering, and in managing complex projects. Our extended  international presence can also provide more market access worldwide. Technip has extensive experience, based on our achievements in fields ranging from onshore to offshore, including subsea systems. Our expertise in design, construction and installation will be available to DCNS Energies, to optimise the development of their projects."
Press Contacts
  • DCNS : Emmanuel Gaudez + 33 (0)6 61 97 36 63, emmanuel.gaudez@dcnsgroup.com
  • Bpifrance : Anne-Sophie de Faucigny, +33 (0) 1 41 79 99 10, as.defaucigny@bpifrance.fr
  • Technip : Laure Montcel, +33 (0)1 49 01 87 81, press@technip.com
  • BNP Paribas : Marion Saraf, marion.saraf@bnpparibas.com